Ex-CNN host Don Lemon heckled as ‘f–king moron’ – Business News
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was branded a “f–king moron” during a tense avenue confrontation with a passerby in New York City — a conflict that shortly spiraled into a profanity-laced shouting match captured on video.
The ex-primetime host, who was ousted from CNN in 2023, approached a man during a man-on-the-street section in Manhattan for his podcast when the exchange turned ugly nearly instantly.
“You’re a f–king moron, dude,” the person instructed Lemon, reducing him off within seconds of introducing himself.
“Thank you. So are you,” Lemon shot back, grinning earlier than making an attempt to salvage the interplay.
Don Lemon confronts a passerby in Manhattan during a man-on-the-street section that erupted into a profanity-laced shouting match. YouTube / Don Lemon
The confrontation started when Lemon tried to ask the place the person was from and whether or not he lived in New York. Instead of answering, the stranger instantly acknowledged him and hurled the primary insult.
“I’m glad you watch me,” Lemon responded, trying to defuse the jab.
“No, I don’t,” the person snapped.
The heckler accused CNN and MSNBC of being “full of s–t,” claiming the networks lied about “genocide” in Gaza and “all wars.”
Lemon countered that each shops had merely reported on what worldwide courts ruled, however the man wasn’t satisfied.
“They would never say it’s genocide,” he stated. “They were protecting Israel.”
Lemon tried to steer the dialog away from the Gaza concern, telling the person he was contradicting himself by claiming to not watch him whereas additionally referencing his clips.
“You’re a f–king moron, dude,” the person instructed Lemon, reducing him off within seconds of introducing himself. YouTube / Don Lemon
“You must watch me,” Lemon stated. “So you’re not making any sense.”
The man in contrast it to understanding who George Clooney is with out seeing his films.
“And I’ve seen you spouting nonsense,” he added.
When Lemon requested why he would stroll up to somebody and insult them, the person shrugged: “Because it just comes out, man. Because you’re big and think you’re something.”
At that time, Lemon launched into a mini-lecture about self-respect, suggesting the person solely hurled insults as a result of he “didn’t accomplish much” in his own life.
The heckler blasted CNN and MSNBC as “full of s–t” earlier than pivoting to Gaza and Israel. YouTube / Don Lemon
“I would never in a million years walk up to anybody, whether I knew them or not, and call them a f–king moron,” Lemon stated.
“Not unless I had terrible self-respect and I wanted to lash out because I felt bad about myself.”
But the person wasn’t backing down. “I called you a f–king moron,” he retorted. “I don’t need to defend that, cuz it’s accurate.”
The exchange was a loop of accusations and denials. Lemon insisted, “It’s on tape. You said it three times.” The heckler denied it, then accused Lemon of insulting him back.
The spat devolved into a loop of denials, with every man accusing the opposite of the identical insult. YouTube / Don Lemon
“You called me a f–king moron too,” the person stated.
Lemon argued that until the person actually watched him, he had no thought what he truly stated on-air.
“If you’re watching clips of me, then you’re watching someone else’s idea of who I am,” Lemon stated.
Nearby onlookers muttered that the person appeared drunk, however Lemon didn’t cut off the confrontation till the person lastly walked away, taunting: “Go find a library.”
CNN anchors Poppy Harlow, Don Lemon, and Kaitlan Collins on set earlier than Lemon’s firing in 2023. CNN/Twitter
“You go find a library,” Lemon barked back. “There’s a bookstore right there.”
Afterward, Lemon admitted on digital camera that the argument was “beneath” him however stated he discovered it “fun.”
The Post has sought remark from Lemon. The man with whom he interacted couldn’t be recognized.
Lemon, 59, was fired from CNN in April 2023 after a sequence of controversies, together with remarks about girls being “past their prime” and reported clashes with colleagues.
