CNN stands by anchor Chris Cuomo after NSFW exchange with a heckler who called him 'Fredo'

Cydney Henderson
Updated

CNN is standing by anchor Chris Cuomo after a profanity-laced video of him threatening a heckler went viral Monday.

The "Cuomo Prime Time" host, 49, was captured during a heated exchange with an unidentified man who called him "Fredo," which Cuomo called a racist slur toward Italians, comparing it to the N-word.

"Punk (expletive) from the right call me 'Fredo.' My name is Chris Cuomo. I’m an anchor on CNN," the television host said during the NSFW video that was shared on Twitter.

The journalist explained that the "disparaging" term is from the 1972 film "The Godfather," referring to Fredo Corleone, who Cuomo said is "a weak brother."

In this Dec. 9, 2018 file photo, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo attends the 12th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in New York.
In this Dec. 9, 2018 file photo, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo attends the 12th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in New York.

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As the conversation escalated, Cuomo added: "I’ll (expletive) ruin your (expletive). I’ll (expletive) throw you down these stairs like a (expletive) punk … you’re gonna call me Fredo, take a (expletive) swing?"

The footage was first shared by conservative media personality Brandon Straka on his YouTube channel, "That's the Point with Brandon." He claims the man Cuomo threatened is a Trump supporter who believed the anchor's real name was "Fredo."

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A post shared by Christopher C. Cuomo (@chrisccuomo) on Jul 31, 2019 at 5:34pm PDT