Chris Cuomo slammed Democrats for promising to go after companies over price gouging, even as they charged big donors between $500,000 and $5 million for luxury suites at their Chicago convention.
Cuomo, who was fired from CNN in 2021 after helping to settle sexual harassment allegations against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, slammed Democrats during a roughly three-minute monologue currently airing on NewsNation.
“A big theme of the Democratic National Convention is going to be going after corporations and going after them for the unfair exploitation they’ve caused — through taxes, through big spend, through loopholes,” Cuomo said at the convention site at the United Center, as reported by NewsNation on Wednesday night.
News Nation host Chris Cuomo criticized Democrats from the convention floor in Chicago on Wednesday. On News Nation, Cuomo pointed out that luxury suites at Chicago’s United Center were reserved for big donors. News Nation
Cuomo then pointed to a suite in the arena where the tournament was being held, as cameras panned overhead.
“Look at the suit ring. This isn’t just about Democrats. There’s a money game,” Cuomo said.
“We are suffocated by the reality of money in politics,” the former CNN star said.
“These suites start at $500,000. Do you think we have some sort of teacher group living in there,” Cuomo said. “Do you think we have some sort of Cub Scout group from Columbia County, South Carolina living in these box rooms?”
Cuomo later clarified that NewsNation, unlike other media outlets that sent reporters to Chicago to cover the convention, had not reserved space in one of the suites.
“Why do you think I’m on the floor?,” Cuomo said, adding, “NewsNation is not a bankrupt company. [Parent company] Nexstar is a big organization.”
“We are corporate media. [but] “We don’t have those boxes, because that’s the game,” Cuomo said. “You pay to play.”
Chicago’s United Center is home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. United Center
Cuomo later noted that the suite was “full of people who were saying they were going to be subject to restrictions.”
“They’re literally looking down on their followers … and saying, ‘We’re going to make them pay their fair share,'” Cuomo said.
He added that people who attend the convention and sit in luxury suites will pay between $500,000 and $5 million.
The penthouse level suites offer catering and other amenities for guests attending events at the arena. United Center
“He’ll probably get a hotel suite to give to members of his party,” Cuomo said.
“The same can be said on the Republican side,” Cuomo said, before asking sarcastically, “Are they going to get rid of them?”
Cuomo noted that Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has raised hundreds of millions of dollars since President Biden dropped out of the race.
Cuomo noted that donors are paying up to $5 million for seats in suites at the United Center. United Center
The NewsNation host referenced a Politico article that linked to a page published by the Chicago 2024 Host Committee detailing “sponsorship levels” for people hoping to attend the Games.
Donors who pledged $100,000 received two passes to the “Distinguished Guest Super Suite,” a podium preview ticket, and a “premium” hotel room.
A $500,000 donation could win 20 suite certificates, podium preview tickets and five premium hotel rooms.
Attendees watch the event from suites at the United Center and enjoy fine dining. United Center
For $1 million, you could get 20 certificates for suites, tickets to the podium preview and 10 premium hotel rooms.
For $1.5 million, donors would have received the same number of certificates and 20 luxury hotel rooms.
A donation of $2.5 million would get you 28 luxury hotel rooms, and a donation of $5 million would get you 40 luxury hotel rooms.
The Washington Post has reached out to Democratic convention organizers for comment.
