The arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon on charges connected to a Minnesota church protest has thrust the once-prominent television journalist back into the public spotlight. The 59-year-old news personality, who spent nearly two decades as a regular fixture in American media, now faces legal scrutiny following his involvement in the demonstration.
A Career Marked by Controversy and Change
Don Lemon's journey through broadcast journalism has been anything but conventional. Beginning his career in local news markets across Birmingham, Alabama, Philadelphia, St Louis, and Chicago, Lemon distinguished himself early by winning an Edward R. Murrow award for his coverage of the October 2002 capture of the Washington DC snipers. His move to CNN in 2006 as a correspondent marked the beginning of his national prominence, eventually leading to anchor roles that would define his public persona.
The Rise and Fall at CNN
Lemon's tenure at CNN saw him reach the apex of cable news as a primetime host, but his path was never without controversy. He gained early attention for his willingness to offer off-script commentary, including criticism of out-of-wedlock births among Black parents, discussions about African American commitment to education, and even critiques of cable news programming itself. In one particularly revealing interview with Creative Loafing, Atlanta's former alternative weekly newspaper, Lemon compared daytime cable news to game shows, stating: "If I want to watch The Price is Right, I'll watch The Price is Right."
As one of the first openly gay, Black news hosts in national cable television, Lemon navigated multiple dimensions of identity in the public eye. In a 2011 interview with PinkNews during a press tour for his biography "Transparent," Lemon reflected on his experiences with discrimination, noting: "I would have to say that I've personally been discriminated against more for being African American than for being gay."
The Unraveling of a Media Career
Lemon's position at CNN began to unravel in February 2023 following televised remarks about former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley's age during her presidential campaign. His comments about when women are "in their prime" sparked immediate backlash and led to a rebuke from CNN's then-CEO Chris Licht, resulting in Lemon being briefly taken off the air. The situation deteriorated further when a Variety investigation alleged longstanding instances of problematic behavior toward female colleagues, ultimately leading to CNN terminating Lemon's contract later that year, though the network paid the remainder of his salary in a settlement.
Following his departure from CNN, Lemon attempted to launch an independent media career with an internet show on X (formerly Twitter). This venture collapsed almost immediately amid public conflict with Elon Musk, who was supposed to be Lemon's first interview subject. The dispute escalated into a lawsuit from Lemon, culminating in his eventual departure from the platform in late 2024. He subsequently moved his reporting efforts to a YouTube channel, though with significantly reduced reach compared to his CNN audience.
Audience Decline and Professional Transition
Throughout his time at CNN, Lemon's ratings experienced significant fluctuations that mirrored the network's broader challenges with audience erosion. His primetime show, Don Lemon Tonight, drew an average of approximately 628,000 viewers near its conclusion, while his later morning program, CNN This Morning, attracted only about half that number. These declining figures occurred against the backdrop of CNN's long-term struggle to maintain viewership in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
From Political Beginnings to Legal Troubles
Lemon's personal background reveals a complex political evolution. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he identified as a young Republican during his college years and even voted for Ronald Reagan. This early conservative leaning stands in contrast to the more progressive positions he would later express during his journalism career. His current legal troubles in Minnesota represent yet another unexpected turn for a media figure whose professional life has been characterized by dramatic shifts and public controversies.
The arrest connected to the church protest marks a significant development in Lemon's post-CNN career, raising questions about his future in media and public life. As details continue to emerge about the Minnesota incident, observers are left to consider how this latest chapter fits into the broader narrative of a journalist whose career has been defined by both professional achievement and personal controversy.
