Don Lemon recently went off on his podcast, launching an expletive-laden tirade against MSNBC co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. The ruckus erupted over Scarborough’s unexpected attempt to engage with President Trump in a civil manner—something that has apparently become anathema in the liberal media world. With Lemon’s combination of fury and flair, he took it upon himself to set the record straight on what constitutes proper behavior towards the former president.
During a segment of the show “Morning Joe,” former RNC chair Michael Steele raised questions about the need for civility toward Trump, saying that while Trump may have received a hefty number of votes, so did Joe Biden. Still, Trump’s election was met with far more disdain than Biden received during his tenure. Scarborough, exhibiting a surprising moment of collegiality, tried to defend the notion that former President Obama offering Trump a smile at Jimmy Carter’s funeral wasn’t an apocalyptic event. This only stirred the pot for Steele, whose rebuttals found themselves drowned out by Scarborough’s escalating indignation.
Don Lemon blasted married MSNBC co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for treating incoming President Donald Trump with “civility,” going on a profanity-ridden rant on his podcast.
Lemon’s harsh comments came as he reacted to a recent episode of MSNBC’s Morning Joe 'JOKE' pic.twitter.com/rBhj6zunjt— @ZZEDITOR I FOLLOW (IFBAP) ALL 'MAGA' PATRIOTS (@ZZEDITOR) January 14, 2025
Lemon, seemingly expecting heads to roll, didn’t take kindly to Scarborough brushing off Steele’s points. This led him to unleash a verbal barrage on his podcast titled “Joe and Mika CALL OUT on Their Own Show!” In a colorful show of emotions, he made it clear that he wouldn’t entertain any feigned civility when it comes to someone who disrespects his loved ones. The point was simple: if Trump—or, by extension, any MAGA supporter—demonstrated contempt for his family, Lemon wouldn’t offer a grin in return. Instead, he wouldn’t hesitate to let loose a hearty “no thanks” to civility.
Scoffing at the idea that Obama’s cordial demeanor towards Trump legitimizes the former president, Lemon argued that such actions risk what he claims is the moral fabric of society. This is a fascinating standpoint for someone with a history of supporting a media narrative that has largely painted Trump in a negative light. Not one to shy away from irony, Lemon has repeatedly positioned himself as a bastion of moral integrity, despite conveniently holding a seat on a network that has gleefully entertained violent rhetoric against political opponents.
Adding fuel to the fire, Lemon pointed out Scarborough and Brzezinski’s hypocritical engagement with Trump, despite their past analogies comparing him to Adolf Hitler. It seems that meeting with a man they once called a fascist didn’t quite fit the narrative of “resistance” they’ve been pedaling. In a post-Trump world, where civility and bipartisan conversations are supposedly all the rage, Lemon warns that grinning at someone you’ve labeled a despot shows a troubling lack of principle.
In the wake of this heated exchange, the reality is that Scarborough and Brzezinski’s ratings reflected the blowback from their antics. After their ill-timed meeting with Trump, their viewership took a nosedive, losing over 200,000 viewers. It seems that in the world of cable news, choosing civility can sometimes cost dearly, especially when that civility comes wrapped in hypocrisy. Whether Lemon’s outburst will change the narrative is questionable, but one thing remains clear: the media civil war is far from over.