Former CNN host Don Lemon took aim at Donald Trump over the weekend, criticizing the 47th president’s remarks following the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., that claimed the lives of 67 people.

Speaking to TMZ at Los Angeles International Airport, Lemon accused Trump of hypocrisy and nepotism, labeling him a “nepo baby” and calling his comments about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) “a new low.”

Trump faced backlash last Thursday after suggesting that DEI policies played a role in the crash, despite no official investigation determining any wrongdoing by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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During a White House press briefing, Trump claimed the FAA was “actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.”

He specifically pointed to the program’s inclusion of individuals with hearing and vision impairments, epilepsy, and other disabilities.

Lemon, 58, responded forcefully, stating, “I think Donald Trump is… I’m trying not to call him a POS.”

He then accused Trump of benefiting from nepotism, arguing, “By his definition of what DEI is, he is a DEI hire. Donald Trump is the most unqualified person to be president of the United States, ever.”

The former CNN anchor continued his critique: “He’s a nepo baby, among other things that I could say, but I’d rather not use those words. But he’s a terrible person, and for him to get up there while there were still bodies in the water was a new low even for him.”

Lemon also took issue with members of Trump’s cabinet who stood beside him during the press briefing, specifically calling out Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.

“You think Pete Hegseth is qualified to be the defense secretary? Only in stupid, MAGA-brain world is a Fox News host qualified to be the defense secretary,” he said.

Lemon accused Trump of using the tragedy to advance a political agenda, stating, “For Trump to blame DEI, he should take a look in the mirror and look at his own appointees.”

He concluded by branding Trump “a racist” and asserting that the press briefing reaffirmed his stance. “I said it seven years ago and shocked everybody on CNN, and seven years later, I’m proven right.”

Lemon’s comments echoed similar remarks made by Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, who last month also described Trump as a “DEI hire.”

Reacting to Trump’s announcement that he would eliminate DEI policies, Hostin argued that Trump himself was not qualified for the presidency.

“Donald Trump saying things that this country would be a meritocracy—you’re talking about a man who didn’t become the president of the United States because of merit,” she said.

Hostin contended that Trump “was given everything that he has,” referring to his background in business and real estate.

“He is a legacy hire. He is, if anything, a DEI hire, a ‘didn’t earn it’ hire,” she added.

During the segment, Hostin also contrasted Trump’s stance with the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“The one thing I did think about was the hypocrisy of having a man be inaugurated to be president on the same day as we commemorate MLK, and that same man saying that he was going to get rid of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” she said.

Hostin further argued that economic equality was central to King’s vision, stating, “Martin Luther King not only wanted racial equality, he wanted economic equality. And that is something people tend to miss.”

She concluded by reiterating that “Black Americans deserve reparations for the injustices they face.”

Sunny Hostin claims Trump is a ‘DEI’ hire pic.twitter.com/6LhGdcG2GI

— ⭐️Edwin⭐️ (@Nuked4Every1) January 23, 2025

Trump has yet to respond directly to Lemon’s remarks. However, his stance on DEI policies has remained firm, with his administration pledging to dismantle federal programs promoting diversity, arguing that they undermine meritocracy and efficiency.

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