Chris Cuomo is defending his recent interview with TikToker Baylen Dupree, who has Tourette syndrome, after his on-air reaction to her tics drew criticism online.
On Tuesday night, the NewsNation host welcomed Dupree, 21, as a guest on his primetime show CUOMO to discuss her rise to social media stardom since she began documenting her journey with Tourette’s. Dupree, who now has 9.1 million followers on TikTok, experiences tics that often involve profanity, which occur in only about 10% of people with the disorder.
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During Cuomo’s segment — in which he touted Dupree’s social media presence as a “beautiful demonstration of turning pain into purpose” — he laughed several times in response to Dupree’s more vulgar tics. A clip of their exchange quickly attracted negative attention, with critics accusing the reporter of mocking Dupree.
On Wednesday night, Cuomo, 53, took a moment on air to address the criticism he has received.
“We were doing a story last night. It was a bit risky, people weren’t sure we could do it because there was going to be a lot of swearing, and [executive producer Alexandra Cohen] and I didn’t care,” Cuomo said. “Why? Baylen Dupree has gone viral — and for good reason. We love giving her a platform to fight the stigma of having Tourette syndrome.”
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The former CNN anchor then drew headlines about a segment that appeared on DailyMail.com and Mediaite that appeared to imply animosity between Cuomo and Dupree. Cuomo accused the media of misrepresenting the context, saying, “No, the kid didn’t come on my show to swear at me. That’s a tic, that’s not a quote. It’s not intentional.”
He concluded his on-air comments by saying, “She’s welcome here whenever she wants and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Dupree posted a clip of her conversation with Cuomo on TikTok on Wednesday — including the part where he laughs — with the caption: “Interview with Chris Cuomo last night :)))”
Cuomo linked to Dupree’s TikTok on X, writing, “This is about respect and laughing with people, not at people… Tourette’s tics don’t define someone… I love that she’s popular and proves she can do anything! Great things to come !”
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Speaking to PEOPLE about her Tourette’s diagnosis in May, Dupree said, “I’m tired of hiding from everyone when there’s nothing I can do about who I am. I can’t change it so I might as well accept it. And I’ve never looked back. I’ve never regretted it.”
“There isn’t a person in this world who doesn’t have something to do,” she continued. “It’s so good to live with this. I’m so happy. Tourette’s doesn’t define Baylen. Just because I struggle with it doesn’t mean it defines who I am and who I’ll be.”
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Source: HIS Education