Don Lemon: I’m Getting The “N-Word Treatment,” Criticism About Me Is “Rooted In Homophobia And Racism”
Podcaster and former CNN host Don Lemon responds to criticism of storming into a Minnesota church to perform an anti-ICE protest. “Keep trying,” Lemon said. “That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. You’re not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want. Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere nd I’m going to believe the same things whether you want to, whatever.”
DON LEMON: But this is much bigger than me. We are at a very critical point in the history of this nation. Look at what happens when dictators and authoritarians, look at what happens in Tehran or in Iran, everywhere. When they want to become dictators or authoritarians and take over a country, what do they do? The first thing they do is get rid of the media. They shut off the radio. They have state-run TV. They have state-run radio. They have state-run newspapers. And that’s what’s happening right now. So, look, I stand proud and I stand tall. This is not a victory lap for me because it’s not over. They’re going to try again and they’re going to try again. And guess what? Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. You’re not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want. Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere and I’m going to believe the same things whether you want to, whatever. None of this is about justice. This is about power and it’s about people who are incompetent. It’s not about justice. You know how I know it’s not about justice? Because I have the best attorney in the country, I believe, to deal with this, who takes on this administration without fear at all. And so when I asked counsel and people, well, why is this happening? And one person who I respect the most, this doesn’t come from my counsel, who I really respect said, because they’re giving you the N-word treatment. Because they want people to know that. I get the history of this country. I get that we come from a history of slavery. I get that we come from a history and a present of slavery and homophobia. I get that. Most of the things, if you read the criticism about me, most of it is just look at it. It’s rooted in homophobia and racism. Because you’re not used to seeing someone like me do this with authority and a voice and without fear. I’m not afraid. I’m just surprised that someone like Pam Bondi would be angry for someone doing their job, someone abiding by the law. Why would you be angry about that unless you were trying to use it as a weapon rather than to seek the truth and justice? Because you may not like justice, but when justice is served, it is served.
“Keep trying. That's not going to stop me from being a journalist. You're not going to diminish my voice.” Panicked Don Lemon tries to seem brave in total mess of a podcast. Tough talk while blaming homophobia, “N-word treatment”, brags about how tough his lawyer is. Frantic. pic.twitter.com/5Hrd0rpYs0
– Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) January 23, 2026
