CNN anchor Chris Cuomo went viral for all the wrong reasons this week when a stranger reportedly called him "Fredo," referencing Fredo Corleone, who's known as the "weakest brother" in The Godfather film franchise.
Cuomo, who was with his wife and daughter at the time, confronted the strangers in a profanity-laden warning in which he claimed "Fredo" was a slur for Italians and threatened to throw one of the men down the stairs.
Watch below:
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo goes ballistic at a guy who called him "Fredo." Says it's "like the N-word." Then, he thre… https://t.co/s6PXCDwGTD— Eddie Zipperer (@Eddie Zipperer) 1565694949.0
One of the harassers claimed he thought Fredo was Cuomo's actual name, but Cuomo wasn't buying it:
"You did not think my name was f*cking Fredo, don't be a liar. Stand up like a man...Own what you said."
Cuomo later took to Twitter to address the video.
Appreciate all the support but - truth is I should be better than the guys baiting me. This happens all the time th… https://t.co/T0p7VsHZTL— Christopher C. Cuomo (@Christopher C. Cuomo) 1565708436.0
Some of Cuomo's Republican critics eagerly seized upon the video, mocking Cuomo for losing his cool and doubling down on the use of the term Fredo.
Even President Donald Trump, whose wife Melania spearheads an anti-bullying initiative, jeered Cuomo on Twitter.
As did the President's son Donald Trump Jr.
Junior has since spent the day retweeting "Fredo" remarks from his supporters.
But not even every Conservative is ready to pile on Cuomo. Some, like far-right Fox News host Sean Hannity, are coming to his defense.
I say good for @ChrisCuomo He’s out with his 9 year old daughter, and his wife, and this guy is being a jackass… https://t.co/sIUtFc8ElW— Sean Hannity (@Sean Hannity) 1565662938.0
Another far-right figure, Ben Shapiro, pointed out to the president that Cuomo's behavior wouldn't result in a red flag against him. Red flags for gun ownership have to be ordered by a judge.
Yeah, man, that's not how red flag laws are supposed to work. And if that's how they work, there shouldn't be red f… https://t.co/Ndf2gxRPq2— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1565707659.0
People also found Trump Jr.'s claim that Cuomo was the "dumb brother" pretty laughable for obvious reasons.
@DonaldJTrumpJr @ChrisCuomo Irony is dead.— Nicole (@Nicole) 1565668734.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr @ChrisCuomo You would know.— David Weissman (@David Weissman) 1565696089.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr @ChrisCuomo When Donald Trump Jr. tells you what people call the dumb brother, believe him. He really knows.— JRehling (@JRehling) 1565660608.0