Politics

‘I had to get rid of them’: Don Lemon says he’s cut Trump supporters from his life

CNN host Don Lemon went off the rails during his show’s opening Thursday night, saying he’s had to cut his President Trump-supporting friends out of his life, comparing them to drug addicts who “have to hit rock bottom” and seek help.
The news anchor told colleague Chris Cuomo that he’s purged his “non-sensical” friends who support the president — comments that later got him roasted on Twitter for being “hateful.”
“I had to get rid of them, they’re too far gone,” Lemon said, noting that he grew up in the “red state” of Louisiana. “I think they have to hit rock bottom like an addict, right?

“And they have to want to get help, they have to want to know the truth, they have to want to live in reality, they have to want to be responsible not only for other people’s lives but for their lives.”
Lemon, 54, then said he didn’t know whether their friendship could ever be repaired given their conflicting political views.

“I don’t know if after this I will ever be able to go back and be friends with those people because at a certain point you just say, ‘You’re too far gone,'” he said. “If they’re willing to come back and willing to live in reality, then I will welcome them with open arms.”
People quickly responded on Twitter, panning Lemon for the remarks, including prominent Trump supporter Ashley StClair, who spoofed the anchor in a video in which she tearfully admits that she’s addicted to “red pills.”

She also tweeted, “Don Lemon is addicted to being an idiot.”
StClair’s video was reposted by Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who wrote, “We need to support @stclairashley in her struggles. This is not a time for blame and recrimination. She needs help and she needs it now. Lord knows what’s on her laptop. #AmericaFirst #RedPilled.”
Another Trump supporter, Melissa Tate, commented, “So CNN on Don Lemon is now promoting the idea they you must hate, disown & ostracized your family and friend if they have different political beliefs. These people are so hateful.”
#WalkAway founder Brandon Straka chimed in, “What right leaning people were friends with Don Lemon???”
And prominent conservative attorney Harmeet K. Dhillon quipped, “Don Lemon talking to his imaginary friends again…”