CNN’s Chris Cuomo is responding to criticism he received for saying he was “Black on the inside” during an exchange with Don Lemon.
Viral clips circulating on social media Friday show the 50-year-old brother of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo singing the theme song to the 1970s TV show “Good Times,” which follows a Black family living in a Chicago housing project.
When fellow CNN host Lemon asked how he knew the lyrics to the sitcom’s opening tune, Cuomo responded: “You know I’m Black on the inside.”
USA TODAY reached out to CNN for comment.
Several people tweeted their reactions to the on-air comment, with USA TODAY’s Mike Freeman sharing a meme to express his confusion.
“CNN’s Cuomo just said he’s ‘Black on the inside,'” he wrote Friday.
Another user, @SisterMaryDande, said she “had to turn off the television because I’m not here for that nonsense. @CNN needs to have some sensitivity training with their on-air personalities.”
User @DJcalligraphy shared the clip on Twitter and called it “PURE CRINGE.”
Author Brigitte Gabriel asked, “Can you imagine what they would say if (Fox News hosts) Tucker Carlson or Sean Hannity made this claim?!”
Other users came to Cuomo’s defense.
“@ChrisCuomo I don’t know why you’re facing ‘backlash,’ wrote @iluvkee2. “if you want to be black on the inside that’s fine! As far as I’m concerned you’re for us”
“And what’s wrong with him saying he’s black on the inside?” asked @rebukechaos. “Love you, Chris Cuomo!”
‘Good Times’:Viola Davis,…
