NewsNation host Chris Cuomo says he is considering walking away from the media business altogether, joking that the state of the industry has left him wanting to punch people in the face.
Cuomo made the remarks during the Election Day edition of “The Chris Cuomo Project” podcast while speaking with pollster Frank Luntz about the state of American politics and media.
When the conversation turned to his future, Cuomo shot down the idea of a political career.
“I would never, ever, ever, ever consider running for office,” Cuomo said.
Instead, he said he was thinking about getting out of the business entirely, invoking boxing legend Mike Tyson.
Cuomo pointed to Tyson’s observation that social media has made people forget that some things you say can get you punched in the face.
“And my desire to punch people in the face is consuming me, Frank,” Cuomo said. “I can’t handle this.”
He continued with a list of frustrations: “I can’t handle the stupidity. I can’t handle what wins. I can’t handle what gets paid.”
Cuomo specifically took aim at the behavior he sees on social media and the financial rewards that come with success in today’s media environment.
He did not announce a departure from NewsNation and offered no timeline for leaving the industry. He also did not say whether his frustration extends to his current job or to the media business more broadly.
The comments are the latest candid moment from the former CNN star, who has been open about the toll his career has taken.
CNN fired Cuomo in December 2021 after an investigation into his role in helping his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, respond to sexual harassment allegations. The network also said at the time that it had received a sexual misconduct allegation against him from a former colleague. Cuomo has denied acting inappropriately or unethically.
He later landed at NewsNation, where he hosts his own show. In early 2025, Cuomo told Anthony Scaramucci’s “Open Book” podcast that the fallout from his firing had nearly consumed him. He also acknowledged that his NewsNation ratings were “kind of embarrassing” and said he had accepted that he was no longer a top cable news anchor.
Cuomo has drawn attention for his outspoken commentary in recent months. In October, he sparked backlash during a death penalty discussion with Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., when he suggested that more Christian cultures are more eager to carry out executions.
Cuomo’s latest remarks come as the media industry continues to wrestle with declining trust, shrinking audiences and the growing influence of social media personalities.
Whether Cuomo follows through on his musings remains to be seen.