The Don Lemon Show

The Musk vs. Trump drama is heating up...again. Elon is still dragging Trump’s disastrous “Big Beautiful Bill,” while Trump is threatening to pull support for Musk’s companies. In response, Musk is teasing support for Trump’s political rivals. It’s petty, it’s personal, and it’s playing out like a bad reality show, with the American people stuck as unwilling extras. Who will come out on top? And more importantly, what does this chaos mean for the rest of us? Tune in as we break down the latest twists in this billionaire beef. Don is out today, but we’re in great hands. Angie “Pumps” Sullivan of the I’ve Had It Podcast is stepping in to break it all down with her signature wit and no-nonsense take. Don’t miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s disastrous “Big Beautiful Bill” is still being debated on the Senate floor. In addition to tax cuts for the wealthy, this bill will give more money to ICE and other immigration enforcement while slashing health, nutrition, education, and clean energy programs from the rest of us. Don is on vacation this week so please welcome our guest host for the evening, Jolly Good Ginger! He will be speaking with Senator Cory Booker and, who knows, maybe some other Senators will drop by as well. Tune in and see! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with the one and only Montel Williams for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation. They talk about Montel’s new book and the life experiences that shaped it, from his groundbreaking military career to his journey in media. Then, they turn to the 2024 election and Montel’s candid thoughts on the state of racism in America today. Insightful, unfiltered, and deeply personal, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. This episode is brought to you by Brickhouse Nutrition. Go to BRICKHOUSENUTRITION.com and use code FIREWORKS25 for 25% off. This sale’s only on for a few days and I know products do sell out. This episode is sponsored by Freedom from Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 This episode is brought to you by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is headed for a Senate showdown, and if passed, it could strip millions of Americans of their Medicaid coverage. After a marathon late-night debate, Republicans are scrambling to push through this massive tax package, the crown jewel of Trump’s second-term agenda. But who actually benefits? And who gets left behind? Don is off today, but Jennifer Welch from the I’ve Had It podcast is stepping in to break it all down with her signature wit. Get ready for receipts, rants, and real talk, because this bill isn’t just ugly, it’s dangerous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal analyst Monique Pressley is back with another episode of The Week With Monique to bring you some sharp insight and hard truths about the latest Supreme Court ruling, this time, limiting nationwide injunctions in a case involving birthright citizenship. What does this mean for constitutional rights, and how much power are we handing over to a MAGA-stacked bench? Monique breaks it all down and sounds the alarm: if we don’t stay engaged and vote, they will come for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joins Don for a powerful and timely conversation about the fight for justice in the halls of Congress. They dive into the ongoing battles with the Trump administration, including the latest on the reconciliation bill and what it means for everyday Americans. Rep. Pressley also reflects on the lasting impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned and what Congress must do next to protect reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. From legislation to lived experience, this is a candid and urgent discussion you won’t want to miss. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court just handed down a major ruling limiting the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions, all in the context of a case involving birthright citizenship. On the surface, it’s a legal technicality. But let’s be real, this decision severely curbs the power of the judiciary to stop unconstitutional actions from the Trump administration in their tracks. Translation? If Trump tries to roll out sweeping, unlawful policies, it’ll be a lot harder to block them right away. So what does this mean for immigrants, for the courts, and for the fight to hold the government accountable? Join Don and Monique Pressley as they break down what just happened, why it matters, and how this might be one of the most quietly dangerous rulings of the year. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Diddy trial nears its end, closing arguments are underway, and all eyes are on the jury. After weeks of shocking testimony and intense scrutiny, the case is heading into its final stretch. What will the jury decide? What could this mean for Diddy and for the broader conversation around power, accountability, and justice in the entertainment world? Don is joined by legal analyst Symone Redwine to break it all down live. Then we'll dive into all the updates around the NYC Mayoral Race with Semafor's Liz Hoffman. What does Mamdani need to do to win? And how are New Yorkers feeling about the race? Read more from Liz Hoffman here: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/business This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with Congressman Robert Garcia, newly elected Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. They dive into Garcia’s bold plans to push back on Trump-era policies, hold the line on democracy, and steer the Democratic Party forward. Plus, they break down that painfully awkward Pete Hegseth press conference because someone has to talk about it. If you're wondering who's ready to fight back in Congress, this conversation is one to watch. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is back and running for re-election. Despite swirling questions about his ties to Donald Trump, past investigations, and a record that has plenty of New Yorkers side-eyeing City Hall, Adams says he’s ready for round two. So what’s the plan? How does he defend the controversies? And can he convince voters he deserves another term? Don sits down with the Mayor himself to ask the questions New Yorkers actually want answered. Buckle up, this one’s going to be spicy. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is getting real defensive about the Iran situation, and this morning’s Pentagon press conference didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Pete Hegseth, in full Real Housewives energy, took to the podium to defend the U.S. strikes and came off… petty, agitated, and possibly hungover? Was he channeling national security or Bravo drama? Either way, the spin isn’t spinning, the answers aren’t answering, and the world is watching. Let’s break down the latest chaos and what it means for America on the world stage. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with Democratic strategist Mike Nellis to unpack one of the biggest political surprises of the year: Zohran Mamdani’s decisive win in the NYC Mayoral Primary. How did a progressive candidate pull off such a resounding upset against establishment heavyweight Andrew Cuomo? What does this say about the shifting tides within the Democratic Party, and what comes next? Don and Mike break it all down, from strategy to symbolism, in a conversation you won’t want to miss. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh, Donald… please don’t embarrass us in front of the other world leaders. With the NATO Summit underway, all eyes are on Trump, and not for the right reasons. From bizarre past performances to the NATO chief now referencing Trump being called “daddy,” the international stage is already bracing for chaos. Allies are nervous. Diplomats are sweating. And Americans? Mostly cringing. Join Don Lemon as we break down how Trump continues to be a walking diplomatic incident, what this means for global relations, and why “world leader” might just be the biggest stretch in his résumé. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fifteen months, 750,000 strong - and one big lesson: authenticity wins. Don opens up about the channel's success and the path so far. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, that escalated quickly. In a stunning upset, progressive Zohran Mamdani obliterated Democratic establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo in the NYC mayoral primary. While insiders predicted a close race, few expected a landslide, and certainly not this fast of a concession from Cuomo. So, what does this overwhelming victory mean for the general election? And more importantly, what should the Democratic Party take away from voters so loudly rejecting the old guard? Don is joined by political commentator @JackCocchiarellaShow to break it all down: what just happened, why it matters, and how this shift could reshape the party's future. Hint: ignoring progressives clearly isn't working. Tune in. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s so-called “ceasefire plan” collapsed in what feels like record time. Tensions between Iran and Israel are still boiling over, and the deal he touted as a diplomatic win? DOA. We’ll break down what went wrong, what happens next, and why Trump’s foreign policy “wins” keep slipping through his fingers. Then we’ll pivot to the heat, literal and political, in New York City. It’s Election Day, and voters are hitting the polls in the middle of one of the hottest days the city’s seen in years. Will the weather sway the outcome of the Cuomo vs. Mamdani showdown? Join us live as we unpack it all. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning, Lemon Nation! Today, we’re diving into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. After Trump loudly declared a ceasefire, it took less than a news cycle for both countries to go back to lobbing missiles and insults. And now Trump, clearly frustrated, has responded with a quote for the history books: "They don't know what the f** they're doing."* Well, the same could be said of the so-called dealmaker-in-chief. His self-proclaimed peace plan has collapsed faster than his approval ratings post-parade. What does this mean for the region? For America? For the world? Let’s break down the fallout, the global implications, and why diplomacy via tantrum rarely ends well. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with political strategist Steve Schmidt for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on the state of the world and the chaos at home. They break down the U.S. strike on Iran, Iran’s swift retaliation on a U.S. base in Qatar, and what this dangerous tit-for-tat means for America’s future. Plus, they dive into the broken state of U.S. politics where extremism runs rampant, leadership is lacking, and the stakes have never been higher. This is a must-watch for anyone trying to make sense of a world on edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions are rising, and fast. Iran has just launched a retaliatory attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, following American strikes over the weekend. Is this the final move in an already dangerous game of escalation… or just the beginning? Don breaks it all down. Then we pivot to the political circus unfolding a little closer to home: the NYC mayoral race. Don is joined by former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner and tech culture journalist Taylor Lorenz to unpack the chaos, cross-endorsements, and what this race says about the future of Democratic politics. From international conflict to New York street fights, buckle up. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. has officially launched strikes on Iran. What does this mean for global stability? Is war now inevitable, or is there still a way out? Tensions in the Middle East are spiraling, allies are on edge, and Trump is already playing this as a win. Join Don to break down the facts, the fallout, and what happens next because this isn’t just foreign policy, it’s our future on the line. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with NYC mayoral candidate Michael Blake for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the future of New York City. Blake lays out his bold vision for the city, from public safety and housing to economic opportunity and government accountability, and explains why he believes he’s the leader New York needs right now. They also dive into the unique strategy behind candidates cross-endorsing each other in this race, and what that says about coalition-building, political unity, and the stakes of this election. Whether you're undecided or just curious, this conversation offers a clear window into the campaign and the candidate behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Lemon sits down with political commentator and writer Ahmed Baba for a timely and wide-ranging conversation. Coming off the heels of Juneteenth, they reflect on what the holiday truly represents in today’s political climate and how freedom, equality, and justice are still up for debate in many corners of the country. Then, they turn to the growing rift inside the MAGA movement. As Trump’s policies become more extreme, some of his loudest defenders—Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and others—are suddenly backing away. Is this the beginning of a MAGA unraveling, or just more strategic rebranding? Don and Ahmed break it all down. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump’s legal losing streak continues! Today, we're breaking down two major court rulings that just smacked down the Trump administration’s overreach. First up: A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, calling his detention an unlawful retaliation for his pro-Palestinian views. The judge didn’t mince words, saying there’s real evidence that immigration charges were being weaponized to punish protected speech. You know, that pesky Constitution Trump keeps forgetting about? Then, we turn to Harvard where another court ruled that Trump cannot block the university from enrolling foreign students. Turns out, xenophobia isn’t a legal strategy. These back-to-back courtroom losses are a reminder that authoritarian vibes might play well at rallies, but they don’t hold up in court. Let’s get into it. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of World Refugee Day, Don sits down with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, for a powerful and urgent conversation about the global refugee crisis. With a record 122 million people displaced worldwide, Miliband breaks down the root causes of this staggering number and the human toll behind the statistics. They also examine the far-reaching implications of the Trump administration’s refugee and immigration policies, from gutted resettlement programs to severe cuts in humanitarian aid. What does this mean for the U.S.'s role on the world stage? And how can Americans step up in a moment that demands action? This is a conversation about accountability, compassion, and what it truly means to lead in a time of crisis. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says he’ll make a decision about U.S. involvement in Iran… in two weeks. Sound familiar? That’s because “two weeks” has become Trump’s go-to stall tactic for everything, from healthcare plans to tax returns to infrastructure. So what’s really going on? Is this strategic ambiguity, political theater, or just a guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing? Join us as we unpack Trump’s latest delay, what it could mean for the escalating crisis in the Middle East, and why this “two-week” promise might be the biggest lie on loop. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices