Former CNN news host Don Lemon drew renewed criticism this week after making sweeping claims about religion, race, and American society, accusing certain religious groups of entitlement rooted in what he described as “white supremacy.”
Lemon made the remarks while discussing what he characterized as intimidation tactics used by religious conservatives, arguing that some believe the United States was built exclusively for white Christian men.
He framed the issue as both racial and ideological, asserting that this mindset marginalizes others and distorts the country’s founding principles.
“Is a certain degree of racism there, and there’s a certain degree of entitlement. I think people who are, you know, in religious groups like that, it’s not the type of Christianity that I practice, but I think that they’re entitled, and that that entitlement comes from a supremacy, a white supremacy, and they think that this country was built for them, that it is a Christian country, when actually, we left England because we wanted religious freedom,” Lemon said.
He continued by claiming that religious freedom in the United States is selectively applied.
“It’s religious freedom, but only if you’re a Christian and only if you’re a white male, pretty much. And so, yeah, I absolutely 100%, but it’s an intimidation tactic,” Lemon added.
Lemon, who previously hosted a prime-time program on CNN before being dismissed by the network, also reflected on how he has become a prominent figure in debates over race, sexuality, and politics.
He suggested that his identity and media profile have made him a frequent target of criticism.
“And, you know, I said, I don’t understand how I’ve become the face of it. When I was a journalist, I do understand that I’m the biggest name there, and I’m also, as I was on with my producers this morning,” Lemon said, recounting a conversation with colleagues.
He described an exchange with members of his production team in which they offered their explanation for why he attracts attention.
“You know, you and Kylie talk all the time. My producers were saying, I said, How did I become the face of this? And my producer said, Don you’re a gay black man in America and you have a platform and you’re the biggest name,” Lemon said.
According to Lemon, that combination makes him an easy focal point for political and cultural backlash.
“Of course, you’re going to be the person that they single out, and they’re going to make the headline because it plays to their base,” he said.
Lemon then went further, accusing critics of harboring racist and homophobic views and naming a high-profile celebrity in the process.
“And their base is full of racist bigoted homophobes like Nicki Minaj, by the way,” Lemon said.
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