Chris Cuomo, the anchor of News Nation, criticized Senator Chris Murphy on Tuesday for what he called a “cheap shot” suggestion that President Donald Trump’s cuts to federal funding contributed to the recent devastating floods in Texas. Cuomo accused Murphy of exploiting the tragedy for political gain and stated he’d prefer not to have Murphy as a guest on his show anymore.
He quoted Murphy’s post, which suggested that accurate forecasting could save lives, arguing that Trump’s attacks on public workers like meteorologists could have serious consequences.
Cuomo pointed out that the National Weather Service (NWS), which has criticized Trump’s past funding cuts, confirmed they have been fully staffed during the floods, countering Murphy’s claims. “Meteorologists are active and issuing warnings,” Cuomo emphasized, noting that they escalated flood alerts twelve hours before the flooding began.
He lamented the way politicians use such tragedies to make their points, asserting that this politicization ultimately harms the public. “The benefits for many are being held hostage by a few obsession on both sides,” he said, expressing concern that such actions could be detrimental.
In the opening segment, Cuomo expressed his frustration over the “nasty” trend of politicizing disasters, questioning if the nation still shares common concerns. “What unites us?” he pondered, remarking on the division within society.
Cuomo didn’t stop with Murphy; he also condemned pediatrician Dr. Christina Propst for her controversial Facebook comments wishing ill on Trump voters, which led to her firing. It seems the discourse surrounding these floods is increasingly charged, reflecting broader political divides.
