Don Lemon’s First Interview Since CNN Exit: Criticizes Platforming of ‘Liars and Bigots’

In his first interview since being dismissed from CNN in April, Don Lemon made implicit criticisms of the network, suggesting that their choice to host a town hall event with Donald Trump was a failure to fulfill their journalistic responsibility.

Lemon expressed his stance on the matter, stating, “I don’t believe in platforming liars and bigots, insurrectionists and election deniers, and putting them on the same footing as people who are telling the truth, people who are fighting for what’s right, people who are abiding by the constitution.” He shared these views during an interview with a local ABC affiliate in Tennessee.

Lemon’s dismissal from CNN coincided with his involvement in recent controversies. In February, he made sexist comments about Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful, and later issued an apology for his remarks. Although he took time off the air and underwent training, this incident raised questions about his judgment and adherence to journalistic integrity.

Following his departure from CNN in late April, Lemon took to Twitter to express his surprise, stating that he had not received any prior indication that he would no longer be able to continue his work at the network. Lemon’s tweet read, “I hadn’t received any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”

CNN promptly responded to Lemon’s claims and countered the notion that he was not given proper notice. The network’s statement refuted Lemon’s statement, saying, “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”