The Don Lemon Show

Hey there Lemon Nation! Tonight, Don is bringing you a little history lesson. How did the actions of Presidents Ford and Nixon lead to the unchecked power of Donald Trump today? Don sits down with legal analyst and author of "The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy," Jeffrey Toobin, to break down how Ford's pardoning of Richard Nixon set the stage for the political landscape we are currently living in. How did we get here? And is there any way back? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Community! Co-Founder and CEO of The Seneca Project, Tara Setmayer brings us the second episode of The Setmayer Sound Off! Tara dives into the consequences of Trump and DOGE executive orders...and how they are hurting MAGA just as much as everyone else. MAGA's 'find out' stage is about to begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States is no longer a land of opportunity—it’s a playground for oligarchs. While millions struggle to afford basic necessities like healthcare, housing, and food, the ultra-wealthy and those in power continue to prioritize tax cuts for the elite. The American Dream has been replaced by an American Nightmare. We'll take a deep dive into how unchecked corporate influence and extreme wealth hoarding have eroded the foundations of democracy and economic stability. We’ll also examine how some MAGA voters—who once believed Trump’s policies would help them—are now realizing the harsh reality of his economic agenda. Is this their FAFO moment? And what are the updates with Wendy Williams? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration and MAGA movement have made dismantling DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies one of their top priorities—and they’re delivering on that promise. From canceling all DEI initiatives in the federal government to turning the term into a political insult, efforts toward diversity and inclusion have been systematically rolled back. So what does this mean for workplaces, government agencies, and communities across the country? How does this impact civil rights, hiring practices, and representation at the highest levels? To break it all down, Don is joined by Dr. Alaysia Black Hackett, former Chief Diversity and Equity Officer for Biden’s Labor Department, for a deep dive into the consequences of these attacks and what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the campaign, Trump swore he had nothing to do with Project 2025—claiming he didn’t know what it was and that it wasn’t part of his vision. But now that he’s back in office, his executive orders and sweeping government cuts look eerily similar to the blueprint laid out in the Project 2025 manual. And it doesn’t stop there. Many of his top cabinet members and advisors have direct ties to Project 2025, pushing its extreme agenda from inside the White House. So was Trump lying all along? Or is he just the figurehead for a much bigger movement reshaping the country from the inside out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The chaos rages on as we enter week four of Donald Trump’s presidency. With the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gutting vital programs, a relentless wave of executive orders rolling back progress, and an administration hell-bent on reshaping the country, it’s easy to feel exhausted. But now is not the time to tune out. Complacency is the enemy. Across the country, protests are growing, voices are rising, and even high-profile figures are stepping up to take a stand. Join Don live as we break down the latest government shake-ups, the resistance that’s building, and what you can do to stay informed and engaged. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the United States on the brink of a constitutional crisis? In just a few short weeks, multiple federal courts have blocked or paused several of Trump’s most extreme executive orders. Now, some MAGA loyalists are pushing a dangerous idea—that the courts shouldn’t have the power to check the president at all. What does this mean for the future of American democracy? Is the system holding strong, or are we watching its foundations crack in real time? Join Don and the Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, Erwin Chemerinsky, as they break down the legal battles, the political fallout, and what’s at stake for the rule of law in America. Don’t miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don is joined by National Political Reporter for The Bulwark Joe Perticone to dive into the relationship between Elon Musk and GOP members of Congress. Publicly, Republican lawmakers have been praising Elon, but privately, they are expressing concerns about DOGE's reach. Tune in for a critical conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has been back in the White House for just three weeks, but the impact on our government has been swift and staggering. From the near-total shuttering of USAID to economy-wrecking tariffs and the pardoning of violent January 6th rioters, no institution seems safe from his administration’s reach. But here’s the real question—how are MAGA voters feeling now? Many of them depend on the very programs Trump is gutting. As social services disappear, jobs take a hit, and chaos unfolds, are they starting to feel the weight of their choice? Or is the loyalty still unshakable? Join Don live as we break down the sweeping changes, the consequences we’re already seeing, and whether the MAGA base is finally waking up—or doubling down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the United States facing a constitutional crisis? Several of Trump's outrageous executive orders have been blocked or paused by federal courts. But now MAGA is suggesting that the courts should not have this power. What does this mean or the future of American democracy? Tune in at 5pm ET to hear Don and the Lemon Legends break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down with farmer and rural political consultant Will Westmoreland to break down the latest move by the Trump administration to freeze USDA funding to farmers across the country. Most farming dependent areas overwhelmingly backed Donald Trump in the 2024 election. How are these voters feeling now? And what will come next? Tune in for a conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Nation! Yesterday, Super Bowl LIX saw the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles dominated with a 40 to 22 victory. However, beyond the on-field excitement, the event also mirrored the nation's deep political divisions. From the players' actions to the halftime performance, the Super Bowl became a microcosm of our current societal climate. The halftime show, in particular, sparked significant controversy, with some reactions exposing deep-seated racism. Tune in for Don to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! Join us as we unpack the explosive controversy surrounding DOGE and the staffer who was discovered to have some incredibly racist tweets. We will delve into how MAGA supporters are rallying to reinstate him—with Elon Musk even announcing his return to the role—and hear JD Vance's unexpected defense of the decision. We'll break down what these developments mean for political accountability, the acceptance of racism, and the future of DOGE. Don't miss this in-depth discussion on one of today's most charged political stories. Tune in and join the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down with legendary comedian, actor, and writer George Wallace for an in depth, personal chat about George's new show, "Clean Slate." They also delve into the chaos in D.C., the challenges posed by cancel culture and why, now more than ever, the power of laughter is essential. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to George's work, this conversation offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and candid storytelling. Tune in and join us for a refreshing dose of laughter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The overhaul shows no signs of letting up—and today’s developments push the dystopia even further. Elon Musk is championing another round of deep cuts across government agencies, with even more departments slated for dismantling in the relentless quest for “efficiency.” Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is still in hot water. The agency’s secret use of AI-driven algorithms to decide which jobs and programs to eliminate has been exposed, and now, a DOGE staffer’s racist remarks have only intensified the outrage. What does this mean for the future of governance? Who is really pulling the strings—and for whose benefit? And as the cuts pile up with no end in sight, what kind of society are we edging toward? Join us LIVE as we break down today’s explosive updates and explore where all this is headed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The government overhaul is accelerating—agencies are being gutted, entire departments dismantled, and thousands of employees cut in the name of ‘efficiency.’ But now, things are getting even more dystopian. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been caught using AI-driven algorithms to identify which jobs and programs to slash next. And as if that wasn’t enough, a DOGE staffer has been exposed for racist rhetoric, raising even more questions about who’s really being targeted in this purge. What does this mean for the future of governance? Who’s making the calls—and why? And with no signs of slowing down, where does this all lead? Join us LIVE as we break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Community! We have something special for you today. Co-Founder and CEO of The Seneca Project, Tara Setmayer joins us for a new Don Lemon Show Special...The Setmayer Sound Off! Tara dives into the current state of our political system and breaks down what we need to do next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Community! Government agencies are being gutted, entire departments dismantled, and thousands of employees purged—all in the name of reshaping the system. From the erasure of key policies to the mass firing of career officials, the scope of this overhaul is unprecedented. What does this mean for the future of governance? Who’s being targeted, and why? And with no signs of slowing down, where does this all lead? Tune in as we break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! Why is MAGA so hateful towards so many marginalized groups? Tonight, Don is joined by the President and CEO if the NAACP, Derrick T.Johnson, to dive into all the latest policy proposals from Donald Trump and his supporters. What do these mean for people around the country? And what can we do? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down with TMZ's Charles Latibeaudiere and Florida Law Man, Dave Aronberg to break down the feud that is taking over Hollywood: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni. What is this about? And who is winning? Join Don to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Community! Every day, it seems like another policy is being overturned or an entire agency is being dismantled. From USAID to DEI initiatives, the government is being reshaped before our eyes—leaving thousands without jobs and an uncertain future ahead. And now, with the president’s shocking call to take over Gaza, the stakes have never been higher. Where does this end? And more importantly—what can we do next? Tune in as we break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been over two weeks since Donald Trump took office, but the chaos isn’t slowing down. With new tariffs, threats to the Department of Education, and a plan to ban transgender athletes from sports, it looks like the situation is only going to get worse. Join Don to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media is full of posts comparing Donald Trump to one of the most notorious historic dictators. But are the comparisons accurate? And what can we learn from our history? Tune in for Don's take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Community! This morning Don is joined by media personality and co-host of The Higher Learning podcast, Van Lathan. They'll dive into Trump's dangerous rhetoric around DEI, Don's Grammy beef with Kanye, and the latest around Snoop Dogg. Tune in for a fiery conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Heads! Join Don to break down all the biggest news stories of the day. We'll dive into Trump's recent unconstitutional move to dismantle USAID and then break down all the drama with Kanye. Tune in for a discussion you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Kamala Harris lose the 2024 presidential election? Did democrats set her up for failure? Tune in for Don's take! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend, Donald Trump placed tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada. Mexico and Canada are already imposing retaliatory tariffs. What does this mean for the American economy? And how will aid groups continue to function without valuable help from USAID? Tune in to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump and members of the MAGA movement are responding to the the tragic air collision over Washington D.C. with racially and ableist-charged rhetoric. While they may not use outright slurs, they rely on coded language—such as invoking 'DEI' as a pejorative—to veil their prejudices. Tonight, Don is joined by author and Senior Fellow for the African American Policy Forum, Tim Wise to break this all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has announced that the United States will be holding migrants at Guantanamo Bay. Many fear this is going to be an inhumane detention camp. Don is joined by journalist, author, and co-founder of Lawdragon Inc., John Ryan to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Community! This morning, Don sits down with SiriusXM Host of The Reecie Colbert Show, Reecie Colbert, to dive into all the madness this week has brought us. What should we learn from Trump's outrageous presser following the tragic plane crash in Washington D.C.? And are Trump's policies hurting his own supporters? Tune in for a fiery conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the tragic plane crash in Washington D.C., Donald Trump and MAGA turned to the blame game, claiming that DEI was somehow at fault. Tonight, Don is joined by The Atlantic writer David A. Graham and lawyer, activist, and former president of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks to break it all down. Tune in for a conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last night, and American Airlines flight collided with a helicopter and crashed in the Potomac River. Authorities fear that there are no survivors. This comes only days after the Trump administration attempted to freeze federal funding. But who is to blame for an incident like this? Tune in to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Community! The Trump administration has rescinded their federal funding freeze memo. This quick shift is leaving everyone confused and wondering what happened. One thing is for sure...this is quite the F up for the Trump administration. Join Don at to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down for day one of his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services. With his conspiracy theory views, anti-vax positions, and general lack of qualification for the job, several Kennedy family members have spoken out against his confirmation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Heads! Things are getting heated as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes the hot seat in his confirmation hearing. RFK Jr has been nominated to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services. But his controversial and often, anti-science policies have many concerned. Will he be approved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration's federal funding freeze is causing quite an upset in Washington and across the country. Tonight, Don is joined by political strategist and analyst Rachel Bitecofer to break down this shocking move by the White House. Tune in for a fiery conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new piece in New York Magazine highlights a growing trend in "cruel kids," young people who face the world with unrelenting cruelty and cynicism. Why is more youth turning to this mindset? Tune in for Don's take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has ordered a freeze on all federal aid. This will impact countless programs and institutions that rely on this funding to operate. What does this mean for the future of these programs? Why is the Trump administration so cruel? Tune in to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mass deportations have started, and rather than shy away from the public eye, MAGA officials are promoting the actions with increased television coverage. Will this gain public support? Or will the cruelty inevitably turn more Americans away from Trump's agenda? Join Don to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese app DeepSeek has released a new low-cost, open source AI model. U.S. tech stocks took a deep plunge as a result, and many are questioning the massive investments in Silicon Valley AI projects. Did Donald Trump's tech bros blow it? Tune in for Don's take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week was a lot. And it looks like this week will be just as chaotic. From the removal of DEI initiatives to increasing threats of trade wars, it's no wonder Americans are feeling exhausted. Where do we go from here? Join Don to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a week it’s been! From unconstitutional executive orders to eyebrow-raising public statements, the first days of Donald Trump's presidency have been nothing short of chaotic. Tonight, Don is joined by Pamela Hemphill, the convicted Capitol rioter who chose to turn down Trump's pardon. Tune in for an eye opening conversation you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who will be the next mayor of New York City? Don Lemon sits down with two of the candidates to explore their vision for the city's future. First up, Former New York Assembly Member and DNC Vice Chair Rev. Michael Blake shares his comprehensive plan for tackling the city's biggest challenges. Then, longtime Democratic Party donor and philanthropist Whitney Tilson presents his perspective and solutions for moving New York forward. You won't want to miss this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! Tonight, Don is joined by journalist, writer, and founder of Zeteo, Mehdi Hasan to dive into all the biggest news of the day. Trump has been removing security details for his political opponents. Is he putting them at risk? And what about the ongoing friction between Donald Trump and Elon Musk? Join Don and Mehdi to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down for an in depth conversation with Brian Reisinger, 4th generation farmer and author of "Land Rich Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer." They dive into the current state of the farming industry and break down how Donald Trump's immigration policies will negatively impact farms across the country. Tune in for a discussion you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Community! Can Donald Trump run for a third term?! A republican member of the House just introduced a resolution that would allow him to do so. Will this resolution pass? And what is going on with the increasing friction between Trump and Musk? Tune in to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, Don sits down with Oliver Darcy, media reporter and the author of Status to explore the current world of corporate news media. Is the corporate news world done for? What does this latest round of layoffs mean? And is mainstream media's approach to Donald Trump a factor? Tune in for a fascinating conversation you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate change is worsening natural disasters across this country. But Donald Trump is enacting policies that will limit aid, cut research, and exacerbate the climate crisis. Tune in for Don's take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning Lemon Community! The first few days of Trump's presidency have seen a flood of sweeping orders rolling back progressive initiatives. From immigration to health research to D.E.I., these orders can have profound and devastating impacts. What can we expect next? And what can we do moving forward? Join Don to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Community! Tonight, Don is joined by co-creator of The Young Turks, Cenk Uygur, to dive into the debate around civility with MAGA. Tune in for a fiery conversation you won't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices