The Chris Cuomo Project

Cuomo Fires Back at the Comment Section

Release Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Chris Cuomo
Guest/Producer: Gregory Ott

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Cuomo and producer Gregory Ott dive deep into the show's comment sections—reading, reacting to, and debating the feedback from YouTube, Spotify, and listener texts. The episode serves as an unfiltered “mailbag,” where Cuomo responds candidly to praise, criticism, and provocative questions. The result is a no-holds-barred exploration of political identity, social media’s impact on discourse, critical thinking versus partisanship, and the role of gratitude during Thanksgiving. Expect sharp banter, soul-searching, strong opinions, and classic Cuomo intensity—plus plenty of laughs and memorable storytelling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Rapid-Fire Comment Round (01:29–02:43)

• Format: Gregory Ott reads a series of quick questions and comments at Chris Cuomo, who fires back with witty or direct responses.
  • Party affiliation? "None." – Chris distances himself from partisan labels.
  • "Why did you quit working out?" "Got too easy. Next." (02:14)
  • On being called an idiot: “So’s your mom.” (02:25)
  • Mustache criticism: Vows not to shave it—unless Movember donations hit a target.
  • “How can fix problems?” (02:31) Gregory: “People there to fix instead of blame.”

2. The “Say It to My Face” TV Show Idea (03:28–05:53)

• Ott pitches a show where social media adversaries confront each other in person, exploring whether face-to-face interaction reduces online nastiness:
  • “You are a keyboard warrior…a poser that has been fed a false notion of how to be because of social media in a society that prioritizes invective over insights.” – Chris Cuomo (05:18)
• Both speculate people would be more civil offline, and that internet trolls rarely act bold in person.

3. Cardamom Bun Story and New York Authenticity (06:02–08:44)

• Cuomo’s “cardamom bun” saga becomes a running joke about NYC authenticity, food culture, and masculinity.
• Ott needles Cuomo about being “un-New York,” while Cuomo defends the enjoyment of a Danish pastry.
• Banter highlighting their friendship and contrasting personalities.

4. Common Sense, Independence & Media Echo Chambers (09:01–11:50)

• Cuomo responds to claims he’s changed:
  “I am a free agent and an independent and a critical thinker. You are stuck thinking the other side is worse and your side deserves no examination…I'm not changing. I'm 55 years old. I change opinions. Why? Because I'm a critical thinker. And if the facts change, I change.” (10:06–11:45)

• Cuomo slams social media as an echo chamber that ‘just wants what you already believe.’

5. Dealing with Criticism, Tone, and Media Style (11:50–14:25)

• Commenter “Katherine Kitty Cat” asks Cuomo to turn down the yelling (11:50).
• Ott and Cuomo reject the idea of toning it down to appease audiences or advertisers.
• Notable Quote:
  "I am not going to just pitch you the shit you want to be true...Now does that make me as popular as some in the moment? No, but you've literally gotten to a place where you have people who were never given legitimate platforms..." – Chris Cuomo (12:25–13:43)
• Critique of digital media strategies and the difference between 'right and wrong' versus 'right and left.'

6. ACA & Healthcare Policy (17:36–20:43)

• Deep dive into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prompted by a listener comment.
• Key points:
  • ACA focused on access over cost due to political pressures.
  • Red states sabotaged Medicaid expansion, hurting their own constituents.
  • Law was never tweaked post-enactment, unlike Medicare/Medicaid.
  • ACA is growing faster in red states, proof people in need push past obstacles.
  • “Fight that fight. Not Epstein. Not who's pardoning who…” (19:40–20:16)
• Cuomo: “I am a fair broker… I don’t believe in right and left. I think it’s killing us.” (14:11–15:33)

7. Judiciary, Epstein, and Allegations (21:13–26:02)

• Cuomo addresses flak for interviewing Alan Dershowitz:
  • Explains the complexity of accusations, burden of proof, and how public discourse shifts with political winds.
  • Notable Quote: "To me…if you’re with someone that young, you’re fucked up. Period. Easy, simple test. Right and wrong, not about what works for right and left." (24:00)
  • Points out selective outrage—Clinton’s allegations were rationalized, now left appears “moral majority.”

8. Organ Donation & Longevity (26:06–28:44)

• Comment about deep state organ trading prompts Cuomo to discuss his views on life extension:
  • Prefers quality of life over longevity.
  • Critiques society’s focus on extending life vs. living it well.
  • “I'd rather die in some heroic way doing something that was good for somebody else…I want to perform at my level.” – Chris Cuomo (26:49)
• Side debate about food purity and history with Ott.

9. Social Media’s Evolution & Damage (31:12–34:58)

• Audience agrees social media is now “boring” and “clickbait.”
• Ott: “Their algorithms are designed to enhance outrage and to be provocative.” (31:49)
• They discuss the lost physicality of activism compared to ‘60s/’70s, with Ott arguing conversation and bridge-building are more vital now due to polarization.
• Debate on young people becoming “digital monks” and society’s retreat into screens.

10. New York City as Symbol (34:58–36:05)

• Strong defense by Ott of NYC when a listener calls it a “disgusting shithole”:
  • “There’s a reason people come to America and there’s one place they want to go—New York...It is the laboratory of what this country is in the process of becoming.” (35:31)
  • NYC encapsulates both America’s promise and flaws.

11. Fact-checking and Political Claims (36:05–40:08)

• Responds to the claim Trump “stopped seven wars”: Ott dismisses it as nonsense, encourages critical thinking and consistency, not partisanship.
• Critiques focus on outrage-of-the-week (e.g. Epstein, Venezuela) over real, consistent issues.

12. Privilege, Upbringing, and Thanksgiving Reflections (40:08–46:08)

• Cuomo fields accusations that he’s too privileged to “get it”:
  • Rebuts sharply: “Of course you don’t have to live something to understand it…It’s your fucking opinion. And that’s all it is.” (41:04–43:05)
  • Points out Trump is more privileged yet is a populist icon, exposing the limits of such logic.
• Ott offers a Thanksgiving message about gratitude and not letting petty political fights poison family gatherings.
  • “Gratitude is a practice...You did not become a miserable bastard overnight. You have taught yourself to be this way and you can unteach yourself…” (44:53)

13. Closing Banter & Farewell (46:08–47:16)

• Light discussion of New York cred, pastries, and bagels.
• Cuomo closes with thanks to listeners, a plea for critical thinking, and a signature “Get back to right versus wrong.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On changing opinions & critical thinking (10:06):

  • “I change opinions. Why? Because I'm a critical thinker. And if the facts change, I change.” — Chris Cuomo

• On keyboard warriors and real confrontation (05:18):

  • “You are a keyboard warrior…a poser that has been fed a false notion of how to be because of social media in a society that prioritizes invective over insights.” — Chris Cuomo

• On political labeling (14:11):

  • “I am a fair broker… I don’t believe in right and left. I think it’s killing us. I believe in right and wrong.” — Chris Cuomo

• On ACA and red states (19:10):

  • “Red states, to punish the left…didn’t expand Medicaid…so they fucked their own people.” — Chris Cuomo

• On selective outrage re: allegations (24:00):

  • “To me it is [wrong]. If you’re with someone that young, you’re fucked up. Period. Easy, simple test. Right and wrong, not about what works for right and left.” — Chris Cuomo

• Thanksgiving wisdom (44:53):

  • “Gratitude is a practice...You did not become a miserable bastard overnight. You have taught yourself to be this way and you can unteach yourself…” — Gregory Ott

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:29–02:43 | Rapid-fire comment replies | | 03:28–05:53 | “Say It to My Face” show idea and social media vs. reality | | 09:01–11:50 | Cuomo on independence, echo chambers, and critical thinking | | 11:50–14:25 | Tone criticism and media authenticity | | 17:36–20:43 | ACA/Obamacare breakdown | | 21:13–26:02 | Epstein, Dershowitz, allegations, and selective public outrage | | 26:06–28:44 | Organ donation, longevity, and purpose | | 31:12–34:58 | State of social media, activism, and the Gen Z movement | | 34:58–36:05 | NYC slander and defense | | 36:05–40:08 | Fact-checking Trump claims re: wars | | 40:08–46:08 | Privilege, family, and Thanksgiving reflections | | 46:08–47:16 | Closing banter, gratitude, and show mission |

Tone and Style

• Raw, unfiltered, occasionally combative.
• Heavy on humor and self-deprecation.
• Fiercely independent, anti-partisan.
• Practical, sometimes profane but always seeking clarity and honesty.
• Ends with a focus on gratitude, critical thinking, and meaningful reflection over performative outrage.

Summary Takeaway for New Listeners

This episode is quintessential Cuomo: honest, confrontational, smart, and sometimes abrasive, but always pushing for real conversation. If you’re tired of echo chambers, want unvarnished views on the problems with American discourse, or just want an intelligent, entertaining brawl over politics, culture, and pie (cardamom, specifically)—this is it.

“Be a critical thinker. Be an independent. Be a free agent. Not right and left. Get back to right versus wrong.” – Chris Cuomo (47:09)