A social media dispute unfolded this week between “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade and NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo, the former CNN anchor. The exchange escalated to what some saw as implicit threats, leading veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera to intervene, commenting, “You are both good guys, but it seems here, Brian, that you went a bridge too far. No need to hate.”
The disagreement started when Cuomo responded to a post by Kilmeade about former Fox News colleague, and current Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth’s Signal text controversy. Kilmeade criticized the coverage by CNN, MSNBC, and ABC, suggesting they were attempting to “Russiafy” the incident while claiming President Trump was acting “too quickly with substantial orders and legislation.”
Cuomo, who transitioned to NewsNation in 2022 from CNN, responded by calling Kilmeade “a propagandist,” sparking a personal exchange.
Kilmeade retaliated by calling Cuomo “a discredited ego maniac who no one watches,” also referring to former CNN anchor Don Lemon as Cuomo’s “idol.”
The exchange intensified when Cuomo replied with a remark interpreted by some as a challenge: “You can use your little insults on here… Stand by your words when I see you in person.”
This comment led to discussions among followers about whether Cuomo was implying a physical confrontation or suggesting Kilmeade would not maintain his criticism in person. A supporter of Cuomo stated that he “really means, will you talk… when you’re face-to-face with Chris, I doubt it.”
Cuomo seemed to agree with this interpretation, writing, “Women are much more emotionally intelligent. Men tend to only see the caveman context :).”
The interaction gained further attention when Cuomo retweeted a follower’s description of Kilmeade as “a keyboard coward like Trump. Say it to his face Brian. I dare you.”
When another social media user suggested the two should fight for charity, Cuomo firmly declined, stating, “No, it would not be. And I would never do that.”
This incident arises amid increased tensions in American media, particularly regarding coverage of the Trump administration and its policies. The Hegseth issue, involving leaked private messages about Defense Department war strategies, has become another focal point in discussions about media bias and journalistic responsibility.
This is not the first instance of high-profile media figures clashing publicly on social media platforms. Such conflicts highlight the polarized media landscape and the blurred boundaries between journalism, commentary, and personal branding in the digital era.
Media analysts observe that while these public disputes may increase engagement and attention, they potentially undermine public trust in news organizations at a time when credibility remains a crucial concern for the industry.