CNN has come under fire for its handling of a volatile protest outside a Minnesota church, where former CNN host Don Lemon was arrested. The network's defense of Lemon comes after he livestreamed footage of anti-ICE protesters storming the church, sparking concerns over press freedom and the First Amendment.
In a statement, CNN asserted that Lemon's arrest raises "profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment," emphasizing that journalists have the right to report freely on events as they unfold. The network also claimed that the Department of Justice had twice failed to obtain an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota.
Lemon was fired from CNN in 2023 after a series of controversies, including sexist comments towards Republican Rep. Nikki Haley. Now, he has started his own show via YouTube and Substack, which has sparked criticism from some quarters.
Critics say that CNN's defense of Lemon is tone-deaf, given the former host's history of making inflammatory statements about President Donald Trump. Some have questioned whether the network is trying to make an example out of Lemon, a vocal critic of the president.
Despite the backlash, Don Lemon has remained defiant, stating in his podcast that he will continue to tell the truth about what he sees and expects others journalists to stand up for him. The former CNN host also dared Trump's DOJ to "make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel" as potential charges loom over him.
In a statement, CNN asserted that Lemon's arrest raises "profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment," emphasizing that journalists have the right to report freely on events as they unfold. The network also claimed that the Department of Justice had twice failed to obtain an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota.
Lemon was fired from CNN in 2023 after a series of controversies, including sexist comments towards Republican Rep. Nikki Haley. Now, he has started his own show via YouTube and Substack, which has sparked criticism from some quarters.
Critics say that CNN's defense of Lemon is tone-deaf, given the former host's history of making inflammatory statements about President Donald Trump. Some have questioned whether the network is trying to make an example out of Lemon, a vocal critic of the president.
Despite the backlash, Don Lemon has remained defiant, stating in his podcast that he will continue to tell the truth about what he sees and expects others journalists to stand up for him. The former CNN host also dared Trump's DOJ to "make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel" as potential charges loom over him.
I dont think its fair to CNN for defending Don Lemon, especially given his past antics. Like, he was fired from CNN for a reason - hes made some pretty incendiary comments about politicians and people in positions of power. And now, when things get heated at a protest, suddenly hes a martyr? 
Im not saying the police or the DOJ shouldnt be careful, but I think CNN is trying to spin this as a "free press" issue instead of taking responsibility for Lemon's own actions. And honestly, dont even get me started on his comment about Trump - who does he think he is? 
, I mean, the guy's already got a reputation for being outspoken, and now he's stirring up trouble again 
. But at the same time, you can't deny that CNN's defense of him is kinda...on point 
? I mean, they're all about free press and the First Amendment, and Lemon's just exercising his right to report on what's going down 
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. And honestly, it's hard not to feel a little bad for him, considering all the drama he went through at CNN 
. But, I guess that's just part of being a high-profile journalist, right? You've got to be prepared for the heat 
!
the guy got fired from cnn for making sexist comments towards nikki haley, and now he's started his own show where he just screams about trump all day long? 
it's hard to take him seriously. and yeah, maybe the DOJ did mess up with the arrest warrant thing, but that doesn't change the fact that don lemon was in the middle of a riot and livestreamed it for the world to see 
, you know? I mean, Don Lemon is stirring up drama wherever he goes and now CNN is all like 'oh no, press freedom!' 
They're trying to spin this as if they're the victims here but really, they're just enabling his antics. He's got a history of saying some pretty outrageous stuff about President Trump and now he's playing the victim? Come on, Don! 
You can't just livestream footage of protesters storming a church and then get upset when you get arrested? 
It's not like CNN is doing him any favors by defending him, they're just fueling his ego. And btw, have you seen his new show on YouTube and Substack? 
He's still trying to make a name for himself but it feels like he's just crying out for attention. 
. First, Lemon is arrested for livestreaming protesters storming a church, and now CNN is jumping all over it like a bad habit 
. But what about the footage he got? That's some serious journalism right there! And don't even get me started on the timing – this comes just as Trump's DOJ is cracking down on 'fake news' outlets... I'm not saying Lemon's innocent, but something fishy is going on here 
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, I mean, I get it, press freedom and all that jazz, but can't they see how their defense of Don Lemon might be coming off as tone-deaf? 
especially after everything he's said about Trump in the past... it's like, CNN is trying to give him a free pass just because he's one of "the truth-tellers"?