Andrew Cuomo's "Progressive" Claims and Scandals Discussed on TYT

Cuomo's "Progressive" Identity and Comeback Attempt

• 💡 Andrew Cuomo, former Governor of New York, claims to be a progressive and a "producer" of accomplishments, while seeking a comeback in the race for New York City mayor.
• 🎭 His political return is framed as a re-entry into "slimy politician skin" during an interview with Stephen A. Smith.

Nursing Home Scandal and COVID-19 Response

• 🦠 Smith confronted Cuomo about the controversial March 2020 directive that barred nursing homes from refusing COVID-19 patients, leading to over 9,000 recovering patients being released into these facilities.
• 📉 Investigations by the state controller and attorney general revealed that Cuomo's administration undercounted COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by up to 50%.
• ⚠️ A House select subcommittee report faulted Cuomo for these deaths, suggesting the decision to underreport was self-serving.
• 🗣️ Cuomo's response to the scandal involved claiming health officials were making the best decisions with limited knowledge and that his regret was the "politicalization" of the crisis.

Political Maneuvering and Media Coverage

• 📺 The hosts criticize Cuomo's daily press conferences and media appearances, including on his brother's show, as political theater to control the narrative.
• 💰 They argue that Cuomo's actions, including downplaying numbers and seeking favorable media coverage, were politically motivated, especially concerning his book deal.
• 📰 The New York Times and other mainstream media are criticized for not holding Cuomo accountable for his alleged corruption and donor-driven policies.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Retaliation

• ⚖️ Smith questioned Cuomo about numerous sexual misconduct allegations, which led to his resignation.
• 🚫 Cuomo dismissed the findings as a "political report" and "politically motivated", claiming subsequent investigations yielded no results.
• 🔍 This claim is fact-checked, noting a Department of Justice finding that Cuomo sexually harassed 13 women and his staff engaged in retaliation.
• 💔 The hosts emphasize that the retaliation against accusers is a more significant moral issue than the alleged misconduct itself.

Political Comeback Prospects

• 📊 A recent poll shows Cuomo leading potential Democratic candidates for NYC mayor with 38%, indicating a persistent attachment to his name among New York voters.
• 📉 The hosts attribute his potential success to a perceived lack of strong alternatives and a desire for stability in New York City, which has been struggling under current leadership.
• ⚠️ Concerns are raised about other New York politicians, like Kirsten Gillibrand, being hesitant to criticize Cuomo due to his political power and vindictive nature.