A war of words erupted on social media this week between “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade and NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo, the former popular anchor on CNN, escalating to what some perceived as veiled threats and prompting intervention from veteran journalist Geraldo Rivera.

The dispute began when Cuomo responded to Kilmeade’s post about former Fox News colleague Pete Hegseth’s Signal text scandal. Kilmeade had criticized CNN, MSNBC, and ABC’s coverage of the story, suggesting they were attempting to “Russiafy” the situation while claiming President Trump was “moving too quick with substantial orders and legislation” to be affected.

Cuomo, who previously worked at CNN before joining NewsNation in 2022, responded by labeling Kilmeade “a propagandist,” igniting an increasingly personal exchange.

Kilmeade fired back, calling Cuomo “a discredited ego maniac who no one watches,” and referencing former CNN anchor Don Lemon as Cuomo’s “idol.”

The tension escalated when Cuomo replied with what many interpreted as a challenge: “You can use your little insults on here… Stand by your words when I see you in person.”

This statement sparked debate among followers about whether Cuomo was threatening physical confrontation or merely suggesting Kilmeade wouldn’t maintain his criticism face-to-face. One supporter of Cuomo explained that he “really means, will you talk… when you’re face-to-face with Chris, I doubt it.”

Cuomo appeared to endorse this interpretation, writing, “Women are much more emotionally intelligent. Men tend to only see the caveman context :).”

The exchange continued to draw attention when Cuomo retweeted a follower who described Kilmeade as “a keyboard coward like Trump. Say it to his face Brian. I dare you.”

When another social media user suggested the two should fight for charity, Cuomo firmly rejected the idea, stating, “No, it would not be. And I would never do that.”

This incident occurs amid heightened tensions in American media, particularly regarding coverage of the Trump administration and its policies. The Hegseth controversy, which involves leaked private messages regarding Defense Department war plans, has become another flashpoint in debates about media bias and journalistic responsibility.

This is not the first time high-profile media personalities have clashed publicly on social media platforms. Such disputes reflect the increasingly polarized media landscape and the blurring lines between journalism, commentary, and personal brand-building in the digital age.

Media analysts note that while these public spats may drive engagement and attention, they potentially undermine public trust in news organizations at a time when credibility remains a critical concern for the industry.

As of Friday, March 28, 2025, neither Kilmeade nor Cuomo had deleted their posts, and Rivera, who attempted to mediate the situation, has not made additional comments.