Former CNN host Don Lemon defended his statement about black MAGA Republicans after his comments on Bill Maher’s recent podcast sparked online backlash.
During a wide-ranging interview on “Club Random,” Lemon argued he doesn’t believe one “can be black and be a rational MAGA person,” an opinion Maher said black Republicans would likely find “very insulting.”
“Well, I mean, the truth is often insulting,” Lemon responded.
LEMON: “I don't think that you can be black and be a rational MAGA person.”
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 16, 2025
MAHER: “I think they would find that very insulting.”
LEMON: “ Well I mean, the truth is often insulting.” pic.twitter.com/mYuCsHntjA
Don Lemon doesn’t think “rational” black people can’t be pro-MAGA. That’s quite a statement coming from a person whose party thinks men can get pregnant. Don doesn’t realize it yet, but this type of cultural gatekeeping isn’t as effective as it used to be.pic.twitter.com/FxsORawwHt
— Delano Squires (@DelanoSquires) March 16, 2025
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Former CNN journalist Don Lemon just disrespected every Black conservative in America on Bill Maher show after claiming you can’t be rational if you’re Black and support Trump.
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) March 16, 2025
Lemon: “I don't think that you can be black and be a rational MAGA person.”
MAHER:… pic.twitter.com/TvHrsz6yCj
Don Lemon: If being a Black MAGA Republican is the path to fame and fortune:
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) March 17, 2025
WHERE are our million dollar deals? WHERE are our bestselling books?
NONEXISTENT!
Most of us did this out of PRINCIPLE and lost EVERYTHING! You are PATHETIC! pic.twitter.com/j9yfsmW9qY
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He hit the “reason the Dems lost” trifecta
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 16, 2025
"On The Don Lemon Show today, I'll be responding to the same right wing extremists, internet trolls and media organizations who endlessly attack me, call me racist and/or homophobic slurs, purposely paint me in a negative light, fein outrage and then gin up fake controversy when someone who looks like me dares to hold up a mirror to them," Lemon said to Newsweek in a statement. "As I said, 'The truth is often insulting.' I'm entitled to my point of view just as much as MAGA, Fox News, right wing media and internet trolls are entitled to theirs. If you want to know what more I have to say about it, watch my show."
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