Don Lemon has spoken out against Black and gay MAGA supporters, saying he cannot understand how members of either community can back a political movement he believes does not support their equal rights.
Speaking on his YouTube show LEMON DROP, the gay journalist said LGBTQ+ people should question aligning themselves with a movement he argues does not believe they deserve full recognition or protection.
“I can’t see how gay people can be part of a party that doesn’t even believe that they should exist,” Lemon said. “That doesn’t believe that they are deserving of the rights of every American.”
Lemon questions Black MAGA support
Lemon also addressed Black MAGA supporters, particularly in relation to voting rights.
“I cannot understand how anyone could be Black and be a MAGA supporter right now with what has happened with voting rights in this country,” he said.
“Self-hating is one term that I would use for it. Naive is another. And then, a milder term would be, ‘pick me’.”
His comments come as Lemon continues to use LEMON DROP to weigh in on politics, race, LGBTQ+ rights, and the current state of American media.
Arrest and legal case
In January, Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles in connection with an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota. He and others were charged with federal civil rights offences, with Lemon maintaining that he was present as a journalist covering the protest rather than participating in it
He pleaded not guilty in February, with charges stemming from his coverage of the protest. A federal magistrate judge had previously rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge him, though a grand jury later indicted Lemon and others.
Nicki Minaj clash
Lemon also made headlines earlier this year after Nicki Minaj directed homophobic insults at him online following his coverage of the Minnesota church protest.
He responded on TikTok, saying: “You are a homophobic bigot.”
Lemon’s latest comments are likely to fuel further debate about identity, politics, and why some Black and LGBTQ+ voters continue to support MAGA despite the movement’s record on civil rights and equality.
