Chris Cuomo rebukes Senator Murphy for blaming Trump’s funding cuts in deadly Texas floods; politicization draws criticism.

Cuomo Rebukes Murphy Over Flood Funding Comments

The aftermath of the deadly Texas floods has triggered a heated debate over responsibility, federal funding, and political rhetoric. NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo strongly criticized Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Tuesday after the senator suggested on social media that President Donald Trump’s cuts to federal funding for meteorologists and public workers played a role in the disaster. The floods, which struck the Texas Hill Country earlier this week, resulted in significant loss of life and widespread devastation.

Murphy’s post on X stated, “Accurate weather forecasting helps avoid fatal disasters. There are consequences to Trump’s brainless attacks on public workers, like meteorologists.” Cuomo, a former CNN host, told his viewers he no longer wished to host Murphy on his show, accusing the senator of making a “cheap shot [against] dead kids” in pursuit of political points against Trump. “Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, I've been trying to get him on the show, now I don't want him,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo pointed out that the National Weather Service (NWS) union, which has previously criticized Trump’s budget cuts, publicly confirmed that the agency was fully staffed at the time of the floods. According to Cuomo, meteorologists expanded flood warnings as much as 12 hours in advance of the disaster, refuting Murphy’s claims. “Meteorologists are not faulting the National Weather Service. They're noting that they began to escalate the flood warnings as much as 12 hours in advance of the floods — so shut up Murphy!” Cuomo exclaimed on air.

Wider Critique of Politicizing Tragedy

Cuomo extended his criticism to the broader trend of politicizing disasters. He denounced the widespread use of tragedies for partisan advantage on social media, questioning whether the nation could find unity amid deepening divisions. “What brings us together? What is our common concern? We're just dueling factions of fanatics,” Cuomo said. He warned that the interests of the public were “being held hostage by the obsessions of the few — on both sides.”

The anchor also condemned Houston pediatrician Dr. Christina Propst for a since-deleted Facebook post that wished “non-MAGA voters” safety while hoping Trump supporters “get what they voted for.” Propst was later fired for the remarks, a move Cuomo appeared to support as an example of accountability for divisive language.

Murphy’s office declined to comment on the controversy, leaving Cuomo’s critique and the National Weather Service’s statements to stand unchallenged. As communities in Texas mourn the victims and begin the recovery process, the debate over funding, forecasting, and public messaging continues to highlight the challenges of navigating national tragedies in a hyper-partisan climate.