The Democratic nominees for president are all fighting over the LGBTQ vote. CNN capitalized on the spectacle by hosting an “LGBTQ Town Hall” Thursday evening, giving nine candidates about 30 minutes each to answer questions. Chris Cuomo hosted the segment featuring Sen. Kamala Harris.
Soon after taking the stage, a woke Harris told Cuomo that her “pronouns are she, her, and hers.” Cuomo joked back, “Mine too.” For some reason, the joke fell flat on the audience of LGBTQ members and transgender activists, who frequently erupted in protest throughout the evening.
After Cuomo’s joke bombed, CNN quickly switched to another camera, but an apparently stunned Harris can be heard saying, “alright.”
By the time the segment ended, angry tweets were awaiting Cuomo in his Twitter feed.
Kamala Harris declared her pronouns on such a major stage and she should be applauded but instead it was so disappointing for Chris Cuomo to mock it in that moment. #EqualityTownHall #PowerOfOurPride
— GLAAD (@glaad) October 11, 2019
And GLAAD wasn't the only one not laughing.
Chris Cuomo just mocked Sen. Kamala Harris saying her pronouns by responding "mine too" and the gasp I let out.
— Zach Stafford (@ZachStafford) October 11, 2019
Not. Okay.
As soon as she is introduced, @KamalaHarris immediately shares her pronouns. Then @ChrisCuomo promptly ruins the important moment. #EqualityTownHall pic.twitter.com/GqjVXBwmfx
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) October 11, 2019
Shortly after his segment with Harris ended, Cuomo apologized on Twitter.
PLEASE READ: When Sen. Harris said her pronouns were she her and her's, I said mine too. I should not have. I apologize. I am an ally of the LGBTQ community, and I am sorry because I am committed to helping us achieve equality. Thank you for watching our townhall.
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) October 11, 2019