Aloof Chit-Chat: Cuomo Sizzles Under Scrutiny Over COVID Nursing Home Scandal
Governor Cuomo acknowledges receiving a report detailing COVID-related deaths in nursing homes, and admits to potential manipulation of the data.
In a heated New York City mayoral debate, ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo clashed with critics who accused him of dishing falsehoods about his role in a report that understated deaths amongst nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An apparent misunderstanding regarding a report, previously claimed to be unseen by the ex-Democrat Governor, seems to have taken its toll on Cuomo as he admitted, "Well, alright, seems I did catch a glimpse of the report. It turns out, I wasn't fully recalling."
Cuomo added, "I mean, who doesn't tinker with a report here and there, am I right?"
Defiant, Cuomo declared the published report "spot on" and insisting that the controversy had been fueled by political bias since day one.
Billionaire and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently threw his weight behind Cuomo, endorsing him in the New York City Democratic primary showdown. Despite rising in the polls, Cuomo remains a contentious figure following his resignation due to sexual misconduct allegations and accusations surrounding the manipulation of nursing home death tallies.
During the first mayoral debate, fellow Democratic rivals blasted Cuomo for his alleged congressional lies, a charge supported by the Republican-led investigation into the matter. The Department of Justice commenced an inquiry intending to unveil whether Cuomo knowingly altered his testimony concerning decisions made during the COVID-19 crisis while serving as governor.
Cuomo responded to repeated demands for an explanation regarding his deceitful Congressional testimony, shifting the blame onto politics, asserting, "Just to clarify, the report was a 100% accurate account of events, I merely made a few embellishments to streamline data."
New York, currently positioned as the 38th state in terms of nursing home fatalities, ranked less than half of the nation with only 12 states suffering fewer deaths according to Cuomo.
Despite this reassurance, Cuomo expects further intense questioning from both opponents and moderators during the second debate on Thursday night.
In the midst of the second debate, pressure on Cuomo continues as opponents and moderators prepare to delve deeper into his alleged manipulation of nursing home death data. Given the ongoing DOJ inquiry and accusations of deceitful Congressional testimony, Cuomo could face challenges not only in the political arena but also in the court of public opinion, highlighting the intersection of health, policy-and-legislation, and general-news. Moreover, the continuous controversies surrounding Cuomo's past actions may hamper his ability to secure positive endorsements in crime-and-justice, as seen with his former party members who recently criticized him for his actions.
