Lara Trump, James Carville, and America’s Breaking Points

Summary

The Chris Cuomo Project

Episode: Lara Trump, James Carville, and America’s Breaking Points
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Chris Cuomo
Guests: Lara Trump, James Carville
Theme: America’s political and societal crossroads, featuring perspectives from across the spectrum, and voices from the public.

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Cuomo convenes conversations with Lara Trump and James Carville—two seasoned figures from opposing ends of the political universe—to dissect the state of America after one year under the current Trump administration. Listener calls provide grounded, on-the-ground perspectives and highlight anxieties, frustrations, and the desire for nuanced, independent discourse.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Lara Trump’s Perspective on Year One of Trump Administration (00:28-07:01)

Successes and Challenges

• Lara Trump, joining as the first guest of the show, conveys optimism about the administration's achievements, highlighting economic improvements, tariffs, and international prestige.
• She acknowledges Trump's polarizing nature:

  “It’s always gonna be a challenge with President Trump because…he triggers a lot of people.” (01:07)

• Emphasizes the importance of separating Trump's persona from policy substance to evaluate progress.
• Cites border security, peace initiatives, and economic gains from tariffs:

  “You would be hard pressed…not to say that things have improved…in the past year.” (01:34)

Healthcare Agenda

• Cuomo zeros in on healthcare affordability, asking about the President’s pledges.
• Lara Trump responds:

  “The American people are demanding [healthcare reform]… The most favored nation status on low prescription drug prices…is so impactful.” (03:41)

• She reiterates Republican commitment to devising an affordable solution for all Americans.

Media and Independent Voices

• Lara credits the administration for making space for independent journalists:

  “They’ve made room for independent journalists…that’s really the future.” (05:22)

• Praises Cuomo’s commitment to open, diverse dialogue:

  “You give space for everyone and allow the audience…to come to their own conclusions. We lost that a long time ago.” (05:45)

Memorable Moments

• Playful banter about the perils of “reporter jail”.
• Warm mutual respect exhibited between Cuomo and Lara Trump.

Notable Quote:

“If you take a step back…you would be hard pressed to not acknowledge how significantly better so much is.”
— Lara Trump (02:24)

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2. James Carville’s Take on the Administration and the State of U.S. Politics (10:16-18:27)

The Administration: “Captain Chaos”

• Carville’s assessment is bracingly direct, underscoring concerns about the President’s mental fitness and unorthodox moves:

  “Is the man crazy? …I can't believe anybody is looking at this and saying this is remotely normal.” (10:31)

• Recalls recent disregard for traditional alliances and dramatic political disruptions.

The Democratic Party: Messaging and Strategy

• Carville throws cold water on the notion of Democratic unity or clear messaging at this stage:

  “No. …But it is not necessary right now that they do, because we’re not a unified party.” (13:25)

• Argues that November’s election will distill to a simple message:

  “If you ask me what the Democratic message should be… Basta. Enough.” (13:57)

• Shares the challenge of forging unity amid coalition politics; full alignment awaits the next primary cycle.

Social Media and Polarization

• Carville and Cuomo commiserate about the divisive power of social media algorithms:

  “The biggest animal that you and I have ever tried to take on is social media and these algorithms which are literally by design dividing people.” — Cuomo (15:49) “Every time I do something…people say, ‘you should never look at the comments.’ …You just gotta… If you let that dictate you…these people…don’t have that much problem. I have expression: ‘Trend this, you son of a bitch.’” — Carville (15:54)

Voter ID and Election Integrity

• Carville challenges the focus on voter ID, arguing fraud is not a significant problem:

  “There is so little evidence that there is any voter fraud in the United States... Our elections are about as fair as you can make elections.” (17:19)

• Suggests the country should refocus on substantive issues like opportunity, cost of living, and universal daycare.

Notable Quotes:

“We ain’t seen nothing like this.”
— James Carville (10:55)

“Basta. It’s enough. …That’s our slogan.”
— James Carville (13:57)

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3. Listener Calls: Ordinary Americans’ Concerns (20:35-29:54)

Lee from Atlanta (20:35-23:08)

• Pushes back on Lara Trump’s rosy economic outlook, citing persistent high costs of healthcare and essentials.
• Describes heightened anxieties for minorities under the administration:

  “My wife wasn’t worried about going outside with papers because she’s not white [in the past].” (22:19)

• Expresses skepticism over narrative versus lived reality:

  “Hearing Lara Trump say that everything is better is a bit comical. Like, prices on everything are still up.” (21:49)

Earl from Maryland (23:10-24:33)

• Calls for Cuomo to maintain his independent, centrist approach:

  “We need voices like yours out there that can just give guys like us who are independent an opportunity to just hear the middle.” (23:38)

Alec from New Jersey (26:15-29:54)

• Reflects on changes in Cuomo’s public persona post-CNN, noting increased openness and balance.
• Cautions about guest bias:

  “James Carville is so biased... It’s very hard to listen to him [for] anyone with any level of objectivity.” (28:15)

• Cuomo agrees about the importance of knowing “what kind of commodity somebody is,” and lauds the growth of independent, non-partisan voters.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Lara Trump on Trump’s Impact:
  “Unfortunately…he triggers a lot of people. …You would be hard pressed to look…not say things have improved…” (01:07)
• James Carville’s Critique:
  “Is the man crazy?...We ain’t seen nothing like this.” (10:31)
• Carville on Democratic Message:
  “I’ll give you a frank and quick answer. No…Our slogan is one word: basta—it’s enough.” (13:25–13:59)
• Lee from Atlanta on Economic Reality:
  “Hearing Lara Trump say that everything is better is a bit comical. …Prices…are still up…the cost of everything is choking people.” (21:49; echoed by Cuomo at 22:59)
• Earl from Maryland on the Importance of the Middle:
  “We’re not hearing enough from the middle…I hope as your program goes on…you’ll remind yourself you came on to be right in the middle.” (23:38)
• Alec from NJ on Bias:
  “James Carville…is so biased that for anyone with any level of objectivity, it’s very hard to listen to him.” (28:15)
• Carville on Online Commentary:
  “Every time I do something…I have the expression: ‘Trend this, you son of a bitch.’” (15:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lara Trump Interview: 00:28–07:01
• James Carville Interview: 10:16–18:27
• Lee from Atlanta Call: 20:35–23:08
• Earl from Maryland Call: 23:10–24:33
• Alec from New Jersey Call: 26:15–29:54

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Language and Tone

• The episode combines respectful cross-partisan discourse (Cuomo-Lara Trump), old-school political candor (Carville), and unvarnished, colloquial exchanges from everyday listeners.
• Chris Cuomo’s tone is independent, no-nonsense, and occasionally playful—committed to platforming all viewpoints.

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Conclusion

This episode encapsulates America’s “breaking points”: economic anxiety, partisan calcification, media and information divides. It spotlights the intense polarization surrounding the Trump White House, how ordinary Americans filter these top-level clashes through their daily struggles, and underscores, in Cuomo’s words, the “middle is the majority.” The need for independent commentary, fact-based argument, and civic dialogue is paramount—affirming Cuomo’s mission in his new, unchained media venture.

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For listeners seeking a well-rounded, sometimes raw, sometimes raucous, but always honest conversation about America’s crossroads—this episode is essential.

Transcript

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[Chris Cuomo]

Lara Trump has very generously given me a slice of her morning. She's very busy. She's a mom, she's a business lady, She's a political influence. She's got her own show and she joins us now. Lara, thank you for taking the opportunity. Appreciate you being here. Good morning.

[Lara Trump]

Good morning. And congratulations. I heard that I may be your first guest ever and I'm truly honored. So thank you, my friend. Very nice of you to have me.

[Chris Cuomo]

That is a pretty big honor. We'll always have that bond. Lt Let me ask you, one year of the administration, what do you think works for you and what do you believe is the challenge going into year two to do better?

[Lara Trump]

Well, it's always gonna be a challenge with President Trump because unfortunately, Chris, he triggers a lot of people. And it's sad to me that there are so many who overlook the true successes that he's had. And you would be hard pressed to look overall at the world, at life in America, at your general state in the United States of America right now, and not say that things have improved, not say that things are moving in the right direction or significantly have moved in the right direction in the past year, but because of who he is, because of his name, and because he's been a very polarizing figure politically, there are many people who will never give him that credit and almost can't admit it to themselves. Look, whenever you talk about bringing peace around the world, whenever you talk about securing our border, ensuring safety and security here at home, you know, making sure that Americans have more money in their pocket, that we're moving the economy in the right direction. Is it perfect? Has it happen overnight? No. But this is like turning around an aircraft carrier that takes one mile to turn around. The groundwork has been laid, and I think people will start to feel the positive impact of what this president has done economically for this country. You know, a little over a year ago or a little less than a year ago, we heard about the tariffs, and everybody panicked about the tariffs. The tariffs have been very powerful. Not only have they brought so much money into this country, but it's allowed the leverage to bring Peace around the world. So there is a knee jerk reaction. I heard your intro to all of this and I agree with you. I think there's always going to be a reaction on either side to anything that happens because that's how we're wired. That's what gets clicks, that's what people tune into. But if you take a step back and you take the name Trump out of it and you really look at so much of what has happened in this country and around the world in the past year, you would be hard pressed to not acknowledge how significantly better so much is.

[Chris Cuomo]

Also, I think that, look, we're fighting the instinct that you can't say anything is good. If it's not your side, you can't do it. There is no fairness. There is no self criticism. Let me ask you this, health care, the costs, the president said I'm going to call in the big shots and I'm going to sit him down in the White House and I'm going to tell them things are going to change. You're making too much money and we're going to do it with you or without you. Do you believe that will happen, that meeting? And do you believe health care will be a top domestic agenda item going into this second year?

[Lara Trump]

Well, I think it's something the American people are demanding. I think that, you know, you look at the shutdown in the fall. That was the premise of all of it. Right. That was the reason that the Democrats would not vote to reopen the government. They wanted to focus on health care, obviously. They wanted to extend the Obamacare subsidies and we know that portion of it. But that's also not working for a lot of people. And this president is taking it very, very seriously. Look, the most favored nation status on the low prescription drug prices, that is so, so impactful to so many people. I remember the first term whenever we went out and campaigned for my father in law before I knew anything truly about politics. That's the one thing that I continued to hear from people is I can't afford to get my medication. We're talking Chris, all the way back in 2016 during the campaign. Yeah, I believe he's taking it seriously. I think the Republicans are taking it seriously. I recently interviewed Leader soon for my Fox show and I asked him about that specifically. And they absolutely want to come up with a great plan for America and something that is affordable to every American citizen.

[Chris Cuomo]

Where would you put my chances of having the administration come after me and put me in some kind of reporter jail in the next year? By the way, I'm just trying to plan a fishing season. It's pretty good chance I stay on the outside.

[Lara Trump]

I think you're in good shape. I think if you go back to the campaign of 2024, there were a lot of people who were told they were going to end up in actual jail. People were told that if you're. You're a gay couple or an interracial couple, you were going to be put in internment camps by. In the mainstream media. And yet, of course, that is absurd and didn't happen. The one thing I'll say about this White House that I think is really powerful is that if you look at that press briefing room, they've made room for independent journalists and significant room for independent journalists. And I think that's important because the landscape is changing. You know, you come from a place of mainstream media. We all remember you, you know, from your CNN show, I think, for so many years. Obviously, I have a show on Fox News, but I also have a podcast. And I think that that is really the future. And I think that a lot of people are very happy to see that space made for independent journalists. Now, what happens with you? I like the way you shoot. Chris. I'll be really honest with you. You are a person who I have such great respect for, because while you and I may not align politically on a lot of things, you give space for everyone and you allow the audience, it's an amazing concept, to come to their own conclusions. And we lost that a long time ago.

[James Carville]

So.

[Lara Trump]

So I think you're going to be in fine shape with this administration. I wouldn't worry at all.

[Chris Cuomo]

I never worry. I'm too old, Lara. Too old. But I will tell you one thing. Lara and I have a very good working relationship because each of us has always done whatever we said we were going to do. That's right. And that is something that's in very short supply in our politics today. So thank you. I know you got a million things to do. Thank you for making time for the show and giving us your take. I appreciate it. And I'm always a call away. Best to you and the family.

[Lara Trump]

Well, I thank you. I look forward to coming back. I got kids I got to drop off at school. I'm also playing the role of mom all the time, which is the most important role I'll ever have. So congrats on the show. Wishing you great success. I think you'll have it immediately, and I look forward to coming back. So thanks for having me.

[Chris Cuomo]

All right. Appreciate you. Lara. Take care. You like that. Taste of Cuomo Mornings. That's my new show on Sirius XM, the Potish Channel 124 every weekday morning, 7 to 9 Eastern. But if you want to just join here on my YouTube channel, you'll be getting a steady diet of selects. And depending on your subscription level, you can have priority call in on that show. You can have more access to me to ask questions, smaller groups, individual conversations about what matters to you. It's all about your level, level of subscriber. So on the regular basis, we'll be putting excerpts of the show that resonate right here. And how much access you get is up to you. So check out the menu and make the choice that works best for your appetite. Support comes from Ethos. Now, Ethos is the quick, easy, comprehensive way to get life insurance. Now, as the head of a household, right, I'm a Gen X guy, which means I'm deep into parenting, deep into partnering, and I'm deep into life. What does that mean? I'm getting older, and I got to protect what I got and who I got. And that means life insurance. When you get into the family game, you need to start taking care of what you make, okay? And I'm not talking about the money. I'm talking about the people, all right? And it sounds easy, but it gets really complicated really fast. Ethos is a great way to get life insurance fast and easy. 100% online, okay? You can get a quote in seconds. You can apply in minutes. You can get coverage the same day. There's no medical exam. You just answer a few simple health questions, and you can get up to $3 million in coverage, depending on your answers to those questions. Some policies can be as low as 30 bucks a month if you're young and really healthy. As of March 2025, Business Insider named Ethos the number one no medical exam, instant life insurance provider. Ethos gets a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 3,000 reviews. So you gotta protect your family. You're gonna need life insurance. Use Ethos now. And if you go to ethos.com cuomo in as little as 10 minutes, you can get your free quote and up to $3 million in coverage. Just go to e.e.com cuomo. All right? And when they ask, where'd you hear about us? Tell them Cuomo sent me application times rates. They may vary. Now, let me bring in for you someone who sees the game as few have ever done, which is why he was fundamental to launching and sustaining One of the most effective and powerful presidencies in modern history. His name is James Carville and he joins us right now. Brother Jimmy Jam, thank you for getting up early and talking to me.

[James Carville]

Well, good morning and it's a beautiful morning here in south Mississippi and I'm glad to be on here.

[Chris Cuomo]

One year into the administration, what is your thought about how well or how not well the President has done?

[James Carville]

Well, there's one overriding really story here, one year administration, and that is simply, is the man crazy? Now, United States Senator Reuben Gallego just publicly said he is. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, who's one of the best physicians in the United States, who kept Dictaney alive till he was 84 years old, said the man needs serious, serious evaluation. I mean, what we're looking at, Chris, and between the two of us, we've seen a lot. Just to put it bluntly, we ain't seen nothing like this. I mean, there is to me, but you would expect. I don't like him. I didn't like him from the start. I didn't vote for him. I didn't support him. I thought he should have been impeached. I thought he should be convicted. So my voice is not very, very good here, but I can't believe that anybody is looking at this and saying this is remotely normal.

[Chris Cuomo]

So when they look at it, what's the spin? The spin is, that's right, baby. Captain Chaos busting down all the norms, the institutions and the insiders making them all crazy. Disruption is the new progress.

[James Carville]

Well, the idea that this is spin, okay? And I believe in span. I have done spinning. We all spend. People spend. You. This is not spent. This is a guy going against one of the most historic and successful alliances that ever existed in North American Treaty Organization that every Republican President, Republican, Democrat supported. And we're talking about literally invading Greenland. I mean, digest that for a second. I mean, just digest the whole thing in. What does it mean? And he keeps doubling down and firing people and there's nothing I can do. I mean, I said, look, I've done my part. It wasn't very much in. It wasn't very effective. But as Ann Applebaum said, we're not in James Calville's hands anymore. We're not even in Chris Cuomo's hands anymore. We're in the hands of 53 Republican senators. And I don't know when and if they do anything about it, but there's not much more I can do to just sit there and be some flea bitten dog band at the Moon, but it's about how effective I am now.

[Chris Cuomo]

Well, listen, you know what a dog braying at the moon can do? Wake you up. And that's what I think you're trying to do, is get people to exercise their own conscience and make a change. Now, what does that mean, this far out? Do you believe the Democrats have the leadership and the messaging and the ideas to make the challenges of this administration into an opportunity for them to win elections?

[James Carville]

All right, I'll give you a frank and quick answer.

[Caller Alec]

No.

[James Carville]

But bear with me. It is not necessary right now that they do, because we're not a unified party. We haven't decided our direction. But what we can do in this, and we will do it successfully if we do it smartly, is it come November, we're going to offer people a choice. And if you ask me, what should the Democratic message be, I'm going to use an Italian word that I learned. Basta.

[Chris Cuomo]

Enough. Basta. Enough.

[Caller Earl]

Enough.

[James Carville]

It's enough. It's enough. You know, with ice, it's enough. With Greenland, it's enough. With. With corruption, it's enough of everything. And to the extent that you can. I think. I think our slogan is one word, bosta, because we can't. We don't have. Our party is as. We're coalition. There's certain members of the coalition, there's certain groups that are part of coalition. The only people that can sort this coalition out are Democratic primary voters, and they will do that in 2028. So we can't get ahead of ourselves because no one has really been authorized by Democrats to speak for a majority of the party. But the Democratic Party is united around the word bosta. It's just enough. I don't.

[Chris Cuomo]

It's good to see. It's good to see the Italian influence come back into mainstream, by the way.

[James Carville]

It's everywhere. It's in our clothes, it's in our music.

[Caller Lee]

It's in.

[James Carville]

In our food. It's in our culture. My. My children tease me about all Daddy ever wants to do is go to Italy for good reason.

[Chris Cuomo]

Everybody wants to be Italian. Everybody does. Everybody wants to be Italian on some level. Nobody's ever said, you know, kiss me, I'm Polish. You know what I'm saying? It's kiss me, I'm Italian, man. It's, kiss me, I'm Italian. I understand where you're coming from. Yeah, right. I. I understand where you're coming from, and I understand your desperation in a positive sense to see the party open its eyes and realize that it has to come together for the majority in this country. It is amazing to me how effective the separators have become. And do you believe that the biggest animal that you and I have ever tried to take on is social media and these algorithms which are literally by design dividing people?

[James Carville]

I'll say so. Chris, I'm bold and I don't. My career is kind of behind, thanks to people like you and other people. I still have a voice periodically. My advice to you as your friend, and if you say to hell with these people, they're a pack of losers for the most part. I'm sure some of them are talented and patriotic people and have their own view. But every time that I do something I do, people say, you should never look at the comments. But you know what? I get bored. I look at the comments, the guys. Oh, no one, no one's listening to a thing you said in the last 35 years. And you just gotta. If you let that dictate you or you let that bother you again, these people individually or even collectively really don't have that much problem. I have expression trend this, you son of a bitch. That's what I think about him.

[Chris Cuomo]

Hey, let me ask you one other thing, Jimmy.

[James Carville]

You know, you know what the gesture is. I don't have. I don't have to say, oh, I know.

[Chris Cuomo]

I know what it is. I know what it is, believe me. I think I came out of the womb. I think I came out of the womb doing it. Let me ask you one other thing. Voter id. Do you think we've reached a critical mass where the American majority will demand this? And what is your concern about it?

[James Carville]

Well, first of all, there is so little evidence that there is any voter fraud in the United States. The Bush people look at it, that U.S. attorneys look at it. The press is looking at it. The Republicans can expose it anytime they want to. The truth of the matter is our elections are about as fair as you can make elections. I think some of it is the laws we do to try to suppress voters and turnouts can be marginally effective on the margins. But we're addressing the problem we don't have. Why don't we talk about opportunity for young people? Why don't we talk about how we can give people tools to deal with increased cost of living. Why don't we talk about. Which I think is a very good progressive left wing idea, if it is that, I think it's a good idea by having universal daycare so women can work and get the kind of advantages that people need. Our Problem is not that our elections are all wrong. That's not a problem at all. And let's address what's the real problem.

[Chris Cuomo]

James Carville, thank you for the wisdom. Thank you mentoring and the friendship. And I'll talk to you soon.

[James Carville]

Thank you, sir. And remember, trend this.

[Chris Cuomo]

I like Trend this and I like Basta. Support comes from Irestore. Do you care about your hair? Okay, if you do, then let me tell you what I'm doing. All right? My hair is looking pretty good. Right. I got the power alleys going a little bit. Right. There's no shame in my game. I will not color my hair. It's holding on pretty well, certainly compared to the other men in my family. And I believe Iristore has something to do with it. Why? Because I'm using the whole kit. I'm using the shampoo, I'm using the conditioner. Why? They thicken what I have and they make sure that the scalp is getting what it needs and cleaned properly, conditioned properly. I'm using the serum. Why? Because it prepares the scalp, your skin, for healthy hair growth. Okay. I'm using the Irestore red light treatment helmet, the Elite plus. Why am I using it? Because I believe in red light therapy. Why do I believe in it? Because my wife's an integrative nutritionist and she studied this a lot and she told me it works and she told me that my hair looks good. So I'm telling you, this is what I've done differently, is that I am using the Irestore Elite, which is, you know, again, a home device. It looks like a bike helmet. It's got 300 lasers, 200 LEDs. Target light therapy to my scalp. Clinically proven. I mean, the science is there. It's a new year. It's the perfect time to feel refreshed and confident. And Irestore is here to help. Right now they're having a big new year sale. Use my name, okay? At irestore.com you can unlock an exclusive discount on the Irestore Elite. That's that helmet I'm using. Just use my name. The code is cuomoirestore.com they're going to ask you, where'd you hear about us? Tell them Cuomo sent me. 866-967-6887. And caller, what is your name and what is your game?

[Caller Lee]

Hey, Chris, it's Lee from Atlanta.

[Chris Cuomo]

Lee from Hotlanta.

[Caller Lee]

After all these years, you know, we still don't call it that.

[Chris Cuomo]

Everybody calls it that. Nobody does. Nobody.

[Caller Lee]

The only person that does is you.

[Chris Cuomo]

Tom is saying, hey, is that the chubby guy from Atlanta? That's what. That's what Tom.

[Caller Lee]

I know Tom is not saying that.

[Chris Cuomo]

He's saying it right now. I know you are. And he's saying it. You can't see him, but that's what he said.

[Caller Lee]

All of this is coming from the fact that you are very jealous of.

[James Carville]

The fact that I can grow a.

[Caller Lee]

Mean beard and you cannot.

[Chris Cuomo]

This is true. It hurts because it is true. Make your witness, young father.

[Caller Lee]

All right, so it was interesting listening to Lara Trump, because I know people can sort of like, frame this as, like, oh, well, you know, you're against the president because blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, I don't think anything is significantly better. Like, I now have the equivalent of an extra car payment when it comes to healthcare because it looks like the dude doesn't like the name Obama in Obamacare. And, you know, hearing Laura Trump say that everything is better is a bit comical. Like, prices on everything are still up. Like, you go to the grocery store. It's insane.

[James Carville]

And.

[Caller Lee]

And the thing is, is I know to a certain extent that he does not have control over that. But when you run on that and say, yeah, we're going to lower this stuff, you know, day one, and then a year later, everything is still more expensive, is crazy. And, you know, when I hear, like, oh, we're. We're rooting out the bad guys in the cities, but then I see him pardon a drug trafficker. That doesn't make sense when we have an unchecked military force running through our cities, beating and killing people. Like, I'm sorry, under no, like, possible rubric you could compare this to. Is that any better? Like, two, three years ago, my wife wasn't worried about going outside with papers because she's not white. So, yeah, I'm sorry, man. I hate to have my first call be something that sounds.

[Chris Cuomo]

No, no, no. Never apologize. Never apologize for offering the world as you see it, as somebody who works, who's a father, who's a husband, and who really cares about his community enough to have ideas that aren't popular in the moment. But I gotta tell you, the people are with you on this one, my brother. Times are hard. The cost of everything is choking people, and people who say anything else are going to be quickly revealed to be deceptive. I appreciate you. I'm glad to have you back. You are always welcome to call in and we'll speak again, my friend. Lee. Be well.

[Caller Lee]

All right. Take care of yourself.

[Chris Cuomo]

We have Earl From Maryland. Love that name. More people should be using it. What is your question, sir?

[Caller Earl]

Oh, Chris, come on. You just made my morning, man. That's an old man's name.

[Chris Cuomo]

I got to tell you, you don't sound like an Earl. I'm going to be honest, you don't sound like an Earl. I could go with maybe a Brian, maybe Clarence. I'm not giving you an Earl, but I'll call you Earl just because you used it. What is your question?

[Caller Earl]

Hey, buddy, congrats. I've been following you on cnn. When you left, I was heartbroken. Welcome, welcome, welcome. And I wish you all the best. Here is my take on everything. I need you to promise me you're gonna stay independent. In other words, we need voices like yours out there that can just give guys like us who are independent an opportunity to just hear the middle. And we're not hearing enough of the middle. So I hope as your program go on, that you'll remind yourself you came on to be right in the middle. I might not like some of the stuff your guest said, like Laura Trump, but her voice was heard. And I just want to make sure that the middle is also heard also as your show goes.

[Chris Cuomo]

Well, you're right, Earl, because the middle is the majority. And it's not middle. Right. Because you never want to be. You grew up in Jamaica. I grew up in Jamaica, Queens. Close enough. You never want to be in the middle of any fight. Okay. Because all that's going to happen is we're going to get our ass kicked two ways. Right? So that's why people pick a side. But I'm saying you got to break out of that binary structure because it's artificial. And the majority of this country, you know it wherever you live. I know it where I live, man. The other day, we get snow. I go outside, it's like 6:15 in the morning. Because I'm like. Was practicing to be up in the and like, ready to go for this show. People are walking around, jumping out of trucks, shoveling things for people, moving things out of the road. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. Because they made that choice. That's who we are. Are we also the A holes and all the toxic people and the opportunists? Yeah, we're them too. But we never used to focus on them more than everybody else. We grew up, you and I. What they say, you got nothing nice to say? Shut your mouth. If you don't like something, find a way to make it better. See, we've gotten out of that business. Why this way is easier. This way gets you paid, Earl. So I'm tapping into that majority, and I don't give a damn if it gets me fired. I did not leave cnn. I got my ass kicked to the curb because they said I lied about what I did to help my brother. And that was a lie and they know it, and that's why I litigated it, and that's why I'm going to stay on it. But that is the past. So this guy Alec from New Jersey has been holding on. He says, we've had beef, Alec. We've had beef.

[Caller Alec]

Good morning.

[Chris Cuomo]

What did we have beef about? And what do you want to beef about now?

[Caller Alec]

Actually, I'm not going to beef. I'm going to compliment you. I happen to really like. I really like the new Chris Cuomo. And you'd probably. Chris, right?

[Chris Cuomo]

That's right. That's exactly what I said.

[Caller Alec]

But you, you are perceived very differently by the public right now.

[Chris Cuomo]

So how do you figure and how do you know what the public thinks, by the way? What do you have? What do you have? I'm a member of mechanism, so one member of the public sees me differently. How so?

[Caller Alec]

Oh, there's no question. So I called you in about 21 about a comment you made about Aaron Rodgers lying about his vaccine status. And I was very angered. And I, and I started the conversation by being very honest and telling you that I've never agreed with you on anything. But we had a very nice. We had a really good conversation. It was actually quite long when I listened to you. Now I can listen to you. I find that you are. You make sense. I didn't feel that way very often before. And I will shift slightly to say that your, Your conversation with James Carville is a perfect lead into this, because I think the biggest problem is that I think you'd agree we all have bias, right? We all have a personal bias based on our beliefs, based on our experiences, whatever we're exposed to, et cetera. James Carville obviously has a bias. He's a reply. He's a Democrat. He will never. There are things you can say about Donald Trump that are good. There are things that you can say about Donald Trump that are bad. I don't think many people would disagree with the latter part of that, but James Carville will attack Donald Trump on pretty much anything. He has a. You know, I think he touched on the fact that he, in the beginning of the conversation, he said something about his voice not being heard. I can't Remember exactly what he said. But the problem with him is he's so biased that for anyone with any level of objectivity, it's very hard to listen to him.

[Chris Cuomo]

I know, but Alec, that's the whole point, is that you have to know what kind of commodity somebody is. See, you are what they call a critical thinker. Most people now are just gobblers of whatever they are fed in their particular bubble, not to mention metaphors. But that is the problem. But look, what's the good news? What's the good news? The good news is the fastest growing part of the electorate is independence. People who overtly reject left and right. Why? Because the sides are killing us. And I know people get this and I know people don't identify that way, like in your everyday life, right? Where I live is a place that absolutely voted for Trump, but it does have a very strong liberal base as well there. So it's a mixed community. And you know what? Nobody ever really talks about that. They talk about what's needed in the community and who's helping. We just had a record year of volunteers joining the first responders in emergency services where I live. Why? Because people care, that's why. You'd never expect that given what's happening in our politics. But social media is not reality. Reality is reality and it's becoming overwhelmed by what we see in social media.

[Caller Alec]

It allows us and it allows us and I get away from humanity.

[Chris Cuomo]

That's exactly right. And we got to get back to it. One of the ways we do that, the best way, is by talking to each other. Give me a last thought and I'm going to break and make it short.

[Caller Alec]

Okay? I was going to tell you five years ago not to hang up on me and then bad mouth me, and that's exactly what you did.

[Chris Cuomo]

And I'm doing it again right now. Bam, he's gone. And that guy's a chooch. No, I'm kidding. I appreciate him calling in. I appreciate the good, I appreciate the bad. Why? Because all of it gives you an opportunity to use it. Okay? You get to use what you see out there. Open your eyes, see the game and become part of your own fate. 8, 6, 6, 9, 6, 7, 6, 8, 8, 7. If something bothers you, call. I am here for it. The best measure of where we are as a society is hearing from other members of that society in conversation. That has some cogency to it, some intelligence, not just, what do you think about Greenland? It's not about provocation, okay? It's about conversation. That's what we're getting after here on the YouTube channel for the Chris Cuomo Project on News Nation, where I'm doing my cable show and Sirius XM Potish Channel 124 for Cuomo in the mornings. Bon appetit.

[James Carville]

Sam.