After arrest, Don Lemon's post-CNN pivot faces biggest test yet
- - After arrest, Don Lemon's post-CNN pivot faces biggest test yet
Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY January 30, 2026 at 11:12 PM
0
been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/htqfngqOq.fnZkLzkF9Ylg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd2ea438095b11f20a73a018652e4485 class=caas-img data-headline="Former CNN host Don Lemon arrested. See his career in photos" data-caption="
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
">Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/htqfngqOq.fnZkLzkF9Ylg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd2ea438095b11f20a73a018652e4485 class=caas-img>Don Lemon attends the 2022 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YiBo5PFXM0gy5ctZsGQmCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5130245b56ae85dfe47883ca419e23ca class=caas-img data-headline="Former CNN host Don Lemon arrested. See his career in photos" data-caption="
Don Lemon attends the 2022 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
">Don Lemon attends the 2022 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YiBo5PFXM0gy5ctZsGQmCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5130245b56ae85dfe47883ca419e23ca class=caas-img>
1 / 12Former CNN host Don Lemon arrested. See his career in photos
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
Don Lemon's pivot as an independent journalist has taken a dramatic turn.
The former CNN broadcaster, 59, who was ousted from the network after what were called sexist and ageist comments, was arrested Friday, Jan. 30, weeks after covering a protest inside a Minnesota church on Jan. 18, according to The New York Times and CBS News.
Lemon, whose lawyer Abbe Lowell has called the arrest an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment," was one of several journalists at the protest of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is reportedly a pastor.
USA TODAY has reached out to Lemon's lawyer for comment.
Don Lemon speaks onstage during the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights' 2025 Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on Dec. 9, 2025, in New York City.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested after Minnesota church protest
Why did Don Lemon get fired from CNN?
CNN did not give an explanation at the time of Lemon's firing in 2023, with CNN's then-CEO Chris Licht simply saying in a statement that Lemon and the network had "parted ways." But Lemon's exit after 17 years at the network came amid allegations of misogyny that were levied weeks prior.
He was accused of making offensive comments about women. Variety reported at the time that Lemon had off-color remarks about former colleagues Nancy Grace and Soledad O'Brien on air and in meetings. Lemon's rep told USA TODAY then that the report was filled with "patently false anecdotes" and "15-year-old anonymous gossip."
Lemon had previously caused controversy a number of times for comments on air. He once said then-presidential candidate Nikki Haley was "not in her prime" and that "a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s," before adding after a request for clarification, "I'm not saying I agree with that." Lemon later apologized for his comments before returning after his absence from air.
He also drew backlash for comments on women's soccer and for telling a Bill Cosby accuser how to avoid being assaulted, saying, "There are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn't want to do it." Lemon later apologized.
Don Lemon attends the 2025 The Root 100 Gala at Gotham Hall on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City.Don Lemon's pivot to YouTube show, independent journalism
The journalist launched "The Don Lemon Show," where he streams twice a day and is shared as a podcast on multiple platforms, in 2024. (The show was also briefly hosted on X before a clash with Elon Musk.) Lemon's work today includes a pointed YouTube channel, which boasts 1 million followers, and social media content that leans heavily into criticism of President Donald Trump, his administration and its policies.
Don Lemon says Nicki Minaj should 'get a life' after she calls for his arrest
During the coverage at the center of his arrest, he streamed for nearly seven hours on his YouTube channel, speaking with congregation members, protestors and one of the church's pastors. During the livestream, Lemon at one point said, "I'm just going to be as respectful as possible. I'm not here to intimidate anybody. I'm just here to chronicle and get some answers."
He added: "This is what you get with independent journalism that you will not get with corporate media."
Lemon is one of several anchors to make the pivot to independent journalism, including former anchors Megyn Kelly and Katie Couric.
Don Lemon arrested after Nicki Minaj said she wants him 'in jail'
Lemon's independent pivot has made the journalist much more outspoken and quicker to respond to criticism. This includes a sharp response to Nicki Minaj, after the rapper called for Lemon's arrest over his ICE protest coverage.
In a post on X, Minaj called Lemon "disgusting" and referred to him with an anti-gay slur. "How dare you? I want that thug in jail!" Minaj wrote in all-caps on X on Jan. 19. She later doubled down on her use of the slur.
Lemon responded in an Instagram video that day, calling Minaj's post "unhinged" and "homophobic."
"You're out of your depth," Lemon said, before raising questions about Minaj's citizenship status. The former anchor also raised the status of Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, as a registered Level 2 sex offender. "You have nerve to talk about me and what you think that I do," Lemon said. "Nicki Minaj, get a life. Stop being a pick me."
Contributing: Melina Khan, Morgan Hines and Charles Trepany, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don Lemon arrested – Where his post‑CNN career stands
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
