Latest news with #DonLemon
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Credibility crisis: Karine Jean-Pierre's defense of Biden's mental fitness over the years
The revelations about former President Joe Biden's declining health while he was in office have brought a new spotlight on what officials in his administration said at the time about the former president's health. One of the most outspoken officials defending Biden's mental and physical stamina was White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She has been on record denying that the former president was experiencing cognitive decline or other health issues from as early as 2022. When then-CNN anchor Don Lemon asked Jean-Pierre if Biden would have the "stamina" necessary to complete a second term in June 2022, she appeared shocked at the question. "That is not a question that we should be even asking," she said before adding that reports of Biden's declining cognitive faculties were "hearsay." "Don, you're asking me this question. Oh my gosh. He's the President of the United States… just look at the work he does. And look how he's delivering for the American public," she said. Jean-Pierre called reports of Biden capping events as early as 10 a.m. because he was fatigued "ridiculous assumptions," in an August 2023 press conference. The following month, when questioned whether Biden's staff "treats him like a baby" the press secretary pushed back. "No one treats the President of the United States, the commander in chief, like a baby. That's ridiculous. It's a ridiculous claim," she responded. After Special Counsel Robert Hur declined to prosecute Biden for the alleged mishandling of classified documents last year, claiming that a jury would consider him to be a sympathetic "elderly man with a poor memory," Jean-Pierre said his assessment "does not live in reality." "The reality is, that report, that part of the report does not live in reality. It just doesn't. It is gratuitous. It is unacceptable, and it does not live in reality," Pierre said at the time. CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson's new book, "Original Sin," details disturbing accounts of the Biden White House's inner workings, which show that the president's senior staffers were attempting to hide his alleged cognitive decline from the public and even his own Cabinet. The book reports that Cabinet secretaries were denied access to the then-president, his aides openly mused about whether he would need to be put in a wheelchair if he made it to a second term, Biden frequently forgot his staffers' names, and he did not even recognize famous supporter George Clooney when the two were face-to-face at a 2024 fundraiser. She also dismissed videos of Biden appearing disoriented or frail as "cheap fakes" and insisted that they were based on "misinformation" in a June 2024 interview with MSNBC's Nicole Wallace. "It's also very insulting to the folks, the viewers who are watching it. And so we believe we have to call that out. We've been calling it 'cheap fakes.' That is something that came directly from the media outlets in calling it that, the fact-checkers and calling it that," Jean-Pierre said. She made similar remarks in the briefing room. After Biden's debate performance in June alarmed Democrats and started a pressure campaign to force him out of the 2024 race, Jean-Pierre remained steadfast at the podium. At one point, she said Biden was sharper than ever. After he dropped out of the race last July, Jean-Pierre was pressed by Fox News' Peter Doocy on whether there was a White House "cover-up" of his health. "First of all, there's been no cover-up," Jean-Pierre told Doocy, adding, "I want to be very clear about that." Jean-Pierre didn't respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Don Lemon says female coworker at CNN ‘tweaked my nipples'
NEW YORK — Don Lemon says he was sexually harassed more than once by female co-workers when he worked at CNN. In a new interview, the former CNN anchor detailed two incidents he alleges occurred during his near 20-year tenure with the cable news network. 'I have been harassed by women and men in the [workplace]. It's ridiculous,' he told Bill Maher on this week's episode of the 'Club Random' podcast. 'There are some things that are really egregious, but not everything is Harvey Weinstein level.' Lemon, who identifies as gay, worked for CNN from 2006 until he was fired in 2023 after a series of on-camera controversies. He continued: 'I remember when I was in Atlanta and I was in the cafeteria [at CNN]. … This young lady tweaked my nipples and said, 'Oh, it's cold in here.' I said, 'OK, you realize that if I did that they'd be walking me out the door right now?'' The Emmy Award winner said he opted not to report the incident to human resources because he didn't think it was worth it.'I didn't say anything, because it's a double standard.' Lemon, 59, also revealed that on another occasion another female coworker propositioned him when he slept over at her house after a work event. The unidentified woman offered him a stay in her guest room since a taxi service and Ubers were not available at the time. 'I never told this story. Someone who I worked with also harassed me at CNN and I never went to management,' the ex 'CNN This Morning' host said. 'First of all, I was so new there. She knew I was gay. It was just bizarre. She was going through a divorce. It was weird.' He added: 'I never went to management. First of all, I thought, 'OK, they may find a way to get rid of me because if I told this story, I don't know if they're gonna believe me or not … But then she was so mean to me after that, I was like, 'I should have told the story.'' Lemon told Maher that being molested as a child had prepared him for such advances later in life. 'You know how to deal with it and you know what's important or not, and you know who has the power,' he shared. 'As a man I have the power to say, 'I don't want to do this.' I don't need to go to HR and ruin your career. I just tell you, 'I'm not interested, miss. We were drunk. We had a couple of drinks or whatever. Let's let it go.''
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Don Lemon says he was sexually harassed by colleagues at CNN
Don Lemon says he was sexually harassed by colleagues at CNN Show Caption Hide Caption Don Lemon's show cancelled by Elon Musk after heated interview Former CNN anchor Don Lemon used "X" ironically to announce that his new show on the social media platform has been canceled before it even began. Scripps News Don Lemon says he was sexually harassed by "women and men" throughout his career, including during his nearly 10-year career stint at CNN. The former "Don Lemon Tonight" host, who is openly gay, was dismissed by the news network in 2023 after making controversial on-air comments about then-presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, got candid during a Sunday episode of HBO host Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast. Lemon said he did not go to HR or management about workplace issues because he thought "they may find a way to get rid of me" and "it's a double standard" for men. "I have been harassed by women and men in the work(place). And some things are not even — it's ridiculous," Lemon said. "Now look, there are some things that are really egregious, but not everything is Harvey Weinstein-level," he said, referencing the embattled Hollywood producer who's been accused by dozens of sexual harassment and assault. Former CNN host Don Lemon returns with 'The Don Lemon Show,' new media company Lemon recalled two instances of harassment he says he experienced at the hands of colleagues who were women, including one "young lady" who jokingly "tweaked my nipples" in the CNN cafeteria and exclaimed, "Oh, it's cold in here!" Lemon continued: "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 I was just like, it's a double standard, it's fine." Lemon slammed one other Atlanta employee who allegedly harassed him when he "was so new there." USA TODAY reached out to reps for Lemon. CNN declined to comment. Lemon then discussed the workplace dynamics at play of a woman who knew he was not heterosexual. "I've never told this story as well, someone who I worked with also harassed me at CNN, and I never went to management. First of all, I was so new there — a woman, and she knew I was gay. And it was bizarre," Lemon said. "She was going through a divorce, it was just weird. And I never went to management. First of all, I thought, like, 'OK, they may find a way to get rid of me because if I told this story, I don't know if they're going to believe me or not,'" he continued. "But then she was so mean to me after that, I was like, 'I should've told the story.' But yeah, I've been harassed by men and women." When Maher asked for more details about Lemon being "harassed" by the second colleague, Lemon said "it wasn't a 'twirl for me'" moment in the workplace, but instead, the instances occurred out of the office. Don Lemon fired by CNN in 2022 Lemon was an anchor for nearly a decade on CNN from 2014 to 2022. The news personality was fired from the network in April 2023 following his headline-making comments on former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who he said was not "in her prime" due to her age, as well as accusations of inappropriate behavior toward female colleagues detailed in a Variety report. Lemon attempted a comeback with the launch of his own media company and a short-lived partnership with Elon Musk's social media platform X. He has since sued Musk following the cancellation of that partnership. Now, he frequently goes viral with his own videos on Instagram and X with his podcast "The Don Lemon Show." This story has been updated to add additional information. Contributing: Edward Segarra
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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. Don Lemon Claps Back After Kanye West Called Him Out In Instagram Post Don Lemon Has Blunt Message For Dems Over Obama's 'Cringey' Exchange With Trump Don Lemon Says 'Women Love' Famously-Fired 'Today' Host Matt Lauer
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Don Lemon Drops Bombshell Sexual Harassement Claim By Men & Women Years Before His Sexist Exit From CNN
Don Lemon is sharing more details about his time on CNN, including the alleged abuse he endured from men and women. The television journalist famous for his days on the network recently opened up about his traumatic experiences. He claimed both genders harassed him at work; however, he never reported the alleged crimes to management. Don Lemon's bombshell confessions come two years after his termination from CNN. His exit followed a shocking exposé that accused him of threatening a female co-worker, among other sexist and misogynistic allegations. Lemon shed light on the alleged harassment at his former workplace during a recent appearance on the "Club Random" podcast. He described the experiences as "ridiculous," telling host Bill Maher that men and women had harassed him. "There are some things that are really egregious, but not everything is Harvey Weinstein-level," he explained, referencing the infamous film producer whose rape and sexual assault allegations sparked the #MeToo Movement. As for Lemon's alleged experiences, he recalled a woman touching him inappropriately while getting something to eat at the CNN cafeteria in Atlanta. The journalist, per Page Six, said: "This young lady tweaked my nipples and said, 'Oh, it's cold in here.' I said, 'OK, you realize that if I did that, they'd be walking me out the door right now?'" Lemon confessed that he never told HR about the harassment because he saw the incident as a "double standard." He had the same thoughts following a second incident where another woman offered to let him spend the night at her place. Lemon noted the incident occurred after a work event when ride-share services like Uber and Lyft did not exist. "I never told this story. Someone who I worked with also harassed me at CNN, and I never went to management," he lamented. "First of all, I was so new there. She knew I was gay. It was just bizarre. She was going through a divorce. … It was weird," Lemon added. He reiterated his fear of "double standard," saying he was worried management wouldn't believe him and "get rid" of him. Looking back on the situation, Lemon wished he had chosen a different option instead of letting fear control his decisions. "I thought, 'OK, they may find a way to get rid of me, because if I told this story, I don't know if they're gonna believe me or not,'" he shared, adding: "But then she was so mean to me after that, I was like, 'I should have told the story.'" Lemon joined CNN in 2006 but was fired in 2023 after making sexist remarks on air. The Blast covered the drama, reporting an exposé by Variety had accused the journalist of misogyny. The scathing article was titled "Don Lemon's Misogyny at CNN, Exposed: Malicious Texts, Mocking Female Co-Workers and 'Diva-Like Behavior.'" The exposé alleged that Lemon had engaged in questionable conduct since his employment. Several interviews with sources backed these claims, including one that accused the journalist of anonymously threatening his co-anchor Kyra Phillips in 2008. The drama between the former co-workers allegedly started over a high-profile assignment that Phillips won. However, a spokesperson for Lemon denied the allegations, claiming: "The story is riddled with patently false anecdotes and lacks concrete evidence, relying solely on unsourced and unsubstantiated 15-year-old anonymous gossip." According to the exposé, Lemon was outraged when his former co-host Phillips was assigned to Iraq instead of him. He took his anger out on his ex-colleague, allegedly tearing up pictures and notes on her desk. Afterward, Lemon allegedly sent her threatening texts from an unknown number. The exposé claimed CNN investigated the case and traced the messages back to the journalist. However, a spokesperson for CNN alleged the network could not verify the accuracy of these alleged events from 2008. Besides his alleged threats to Phillips, Lemon gained infamy in 2023 for making sexist remarks. During an on-air discussion with co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, the journalist suggested that politician Nikki Haley was beyond her prime at 51. When Lemon's former co-hosts asked him to explain what he meant by Haley being beyond her prime, The Blast noted the journalist said: "She says ... politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn't in her prime. Sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in [their] 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s." "That's not according to me. If you Google 'When is a woman in her prime,' it'll say 20s, 30s and 40s. I don't necessarily — I'm not saying I agree with that," Lemon added. He walked back his comments on X, apologizing for his insensitive reference. Unfortunately, his apology was not enough. In April 2023, Lemon revealed CNN had fired him. He shared the news in a lengthy statement, writing: "I was informed this morning by my agent I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly." What bombshell stories from his CNN days will Don Lemon share next?
