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Veteran journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon has said that rational Black MAGA supporters do not exist, sparking a mixed reaction online.
Defending his remarks made during an interview with Bill Maher, he told Newsweek in a statement: “I’m entitled to my point of view just as much as MAGA.”
Why It Matters
Lemon hosted his own show on CNN from 2014 until it was canceled in 2022. He is now making news content for his own Lemon Media Network on social media, YouTube and his website.
Rich Polk/Getty Images for GLAAD
Around 16 percent of Black voters supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. That’s double the 8 percent he received from the same demographic in 2020, according to AP VoteCast.
What to Know
Lemon appeared on Maher’s Club Random podcast for a wide-ranging discussion, where they spoke about a number of topics, including the shifting media landscape and the current state of politics in America.
Maher asked Lemon if he thinks you can be a “sincere Black MAGA person,” to which Lemon responded: “I think there can be sincere Republicans.”
He was then asked by Maher: “But you can’t be a sincere Black Republican?”
Lemon responded that he doesn’t think one can “be Black and be a rational MAGA person,” adding that: “I think you can be Black and be a Republican.”
Maher then said: “I think they would find that very insulting,” to which Lemon responded: “The truth is often insulting.”
The response to Lemon’s remarks online has been mixed. Some users have been quick to criticize him, while others have praised his comments.
The episode of the Maher podcast had received over 79,000 views as of press time.
What People Are Saying
In a statement shared with Newsweek, Don Lemon said: “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. 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.
One social media user said on X: “Don Lemon is now stating you can’t support MAGA and be black. You aren’t really black if you support MAGA. Democrats are the sole people keeping racism alive in America folks.”
Another said on X: “How would Don the Lemon KNOW what a rational person is? He certainly hasn’t been one!”
A user on X: “Don Lemon is right. Where are the black Trump supporters pushing back against Trump & Musk for deleting their history, jobs, & chances of a college education while making racism cool again”
Another person on X: “Don Lemon is telling the truth. What the hell has the GOP ever done.”
What’s Next
Lemon continues to make his own news content for his Lemon Media network. He posts regularly on Instagram, where he has over a million followers.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected].
