An interview of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sparring with his younger brother Chris during a live TV interview has gone viral on social media.
The humorous clash between the high-profile siblings took place Monday when Andrew appeared via video link on Chris’ CNN program, Cuomo Prime Time.
The pair were discussing the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis, before talk soon turned to more domestic matters, with the brothers debating which of them was their mother’s favorite son.
The light-hearted spat sparked delight on the internet, with many viewers seeing the segment as welcome relief from the ever-worsening news about the deadly COVID-19 outbreak.
Chris and Andrew are the sons of the late New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, and his wife, Matilda, aged 88.
An interview of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) sparring with his younger brother Chris (right) during a live TV interview has gone viral on social media. The pair are pictured together in 2018
The sparring began when Chris asked his governor brother whether New York state would impose a curfew on its residents.
‘I don’t like the word curfew,’ Andrew, 62, replied. ‘Dad tried to put a curfew on me, I never got past the resentment’.
He then took at a humorous shot at his baby brother Chris, 49, stating: ‘You used to violate curfew all the time, [it] caused much pain, but that’s a different story’.
‘I don’t believe in rules,’ Chris quipped back.
The broadcaster then tried to wrap up the interview with his big brother, stating: ‘Governor Cuomo, I love you and I’m proud of you… No matter how hard you’re working, there’s always time to call mom. She wants to hear from you, just so you know’.
Andrew wasn’t letting Chris get away with the dig, hitting back: ‘I called mom just before I came on this show. By the way, she said I was her favorite!’
‘She never said that!’ Chris stated.
‘She said I was her favorite,’ Andrew continued. ‘Good news is, she said she you were her second favorite… second favorite son!’
While Chris and Andrew are their parents’ only sons, they share three sisters: Maria, Magaret and Madeleine.
The humorous clash between the high-profile siblings took place Monday when Andrew (right) appeared via video link on Chris’ CNN program, Cuomo Prime Time.
Chris (far right) and Andrew (second from right) are pictured with their parents Mario and Matilda Cuomo in the 1980s
‘We both know neither of us are mom’s first or second favorite in the family. I can’t believe you’re lying to my audience, you’ve blown the credibility of the entire interview. I should have ended it before,’ Chris shot back.
‘Second favorite son, listen to the words,’ Andrew then stated.
‘I didn’t hear,’ Chris replied. ‘Politicians are very tricky, throw a word in there after the first time you said it, creates a lot of doubt. But I appreciate you clarifying’.
The brotherly banter sparked delight on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘This video of brothers Andrew and Chris Cuomo fighting ON AIR about their mom’s favorite child, calling their parents, and breaking curfew growing up is better than anything Shakespeare ever wrote’.
Another stated: ‘I would support CNN moving to full time Cuomo Brothers content’.
Chris and Andrew’s father served as New York’s governor for three terms from 1983 until 1994.
Andrew followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming New York’s governor in 2011.
He is now presiding over the state worst-affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with 1,374 cases confirmed in New York as of Tuesday afternoon.
Chris and Andrew’s father Mario served as New York’s governor for three terms from 1983 until 1994. Mario is pictured with Chris in 2012. He passed away in 2015