Don Lemon Says Woman At CNN Tweaked His Nipples, Alleges Other Sexual Harassment
Don Lemon said he was sexually harassed while at CNN, describing an instance when a woman tweaked his nipples. (Watch the video of the interview below.)
Lemon, who was fired by the network in 2023 amid accusations of misogyny after suggesting that Nikki Haley was past her prime, told Bill Maher on the 'Club Random' podcast that he had been victimized.
Lemon said he faced misconduct by men and women in the workplace, though not at a Harvey Weinstein level.
First on his mind was an incident in CNN's Atlanta cafeteria.
'This woman/young lady tweaked my nipples and said, 'Oh, it's cold in here,'' Lemon recalled in an episode posted Sunday. 'And I said, 'OK, you realize if I did that, they'd be walking me out the door right now. But I didn't care to go to HR. I didn't say anything because ... it's a double standard.'
Lemon then delved into an encounter where he hinted a female colleague who knew he's gay made unwanted advances after some drinking at a party. The longtime news personality, who now has a podcast, said having been molested as a child made him understand who has the power.
'As a man, I have the power to say 'I don't wanna do this. ... I don't need to go to HR and ruin your career. I just tell you, I'm not interested in this. You were drunk, we had a couple of drinks ... let's let it go.''
Lemon said he didn't blow the whistle for fear of losing his job but regretted that because the woman was 'mean' to him afterward.
A drunken man recently grabbed his penis at a restaurant, he said, but that did not appear to be related to work.
HuffPost has reached out to CNN for comment.
Fast-forward to 14:28 for Lemon's recollection of harassment:
Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website.
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