The Don Lemon Show

The tension between journalism and political power just hit a boiling point. 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned, citing a loss of editorial independence amid mounting pressure from CBS parent company Paramount. The backdrop? A massive defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, alleging deceptive editing of a 2024 interview with then Vice President Kamala Harris. ​ In a rare on-air moment, correspondent Scott Pelley didn't hold back, calling out Paramount's increasing oversight and defending Owens' commitment to journalistic integrity. Is the media finally fighting back? What does this mean for the future of a free press? Tune in for Don's take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! This morning, Don breaks down the latest controversy surrounding Shedeur Sanders...and, because it’s 2025, Donald Trump just had to weigh in too. We’ll dig into the story, the political spin, and what it says about the state of everything right now. Grab your coffee, Lemon Nation, this one’s messy. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Sour Lemon Special! Every week, we break down the most outrageous, corrupt, and downright awful behavior from the people in power—and this time, we’ve got a stacked lineup of contestants. Who will take home the title of this week’s Sour Lemon? You decide! Join Don and the Host of The Bitchuation Room Podcast, Francesca Fiorentini, to break it all down! This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! Today, Legal analyst, political commentator and Host of the Make It Make Sense Daily Digital Show, Monique Pressley brings us a new episode of The Week With Monique, where she dives into the realities for individuals with Autism in the United States. After RFK Jr.'s inaccurate and harmful comments, Monique is here to set things straight! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re looking at what could be the start of a major unraveling—for three powerful men. First up, Shannon Sharpe, who’s stepping back from ESPN following sexual assault allegations that have sparked serious backlash and raised even more serious questions. Then there’s Donald Trump, whose approval ratings are in freefall, his lowest since taking office, and he hasn’t even hit the 100-day mark. Voters are growing restless, and the MAGA glow might finally be wearing off. And last but definitely least, Pete Hegseth, whose ongoing Signal scandals and Pentagon dysfunction are turning “incompetence” into an actual national security risk. Are we watching three public implosions in real time? Let’s get into it, Lemon Nation. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nancy Mace is at it again. Screaming slurs and making a scene. Is she becoming more unhinged? Tune in for Don's take! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! The Shannon Sharpe scandal continues. Tonight, Don is joined by Sharpe's lawyer, Lanny Davis, to break it all down. Then, we'll dive into the latest MAGA updates. Is Trump officially announcing a run for president in 2028? What should the Democrat strategy be? Host of the 'I’ve Had It' podcast Jennifer Welch joins us to dive into all the madness. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon 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 this week's episode of The Setmayer Sound Off! Tara dives into Trump's calls for a "baby bonus." What is behind this push for more babies? Join Tara as she breaks it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! This morning, Don dives into the developing story surrounding Shannon Sharpe, who’s facing serious accusations making headlines across the country. To break down what we know so far and what it could mean, Don is joined by TMZ’s Charles Latibeaudiere for the inside scoop. Then, we pivot to the political chaos of the day with updates on the Elon Musk vs. Scott Bessent showdown. The shouting match may be over, but the fallout? Just getting started. Scandal, egos, and some serious questions, Lemon Nation. This one’s packed. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there, Lemon Nation! We’ve got something a little different for you today. The Don Lemon Show’s head writer Peter Rothpletz sits down with Cameron Kasky, host of The Bulwark’s “FY Pod,” for a sharp, no-holds-barred convo about one of the big political questions of the moment: Why are so many Gen Z voters drifting to the right? From TikTok to disillusionment, culture wars to economic fears, Peter and Cameron break it all down—with insight, humor, and a few spicy takes along the way. You’re not gonna want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when you thought the Trump administration couldn’t get more chaotic, Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in a heated shouting match in the West Wing. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the administration, particularly between Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and traditional cabinet members. Don breaks down the latest internal conflicts plaguing the administration. Is this the beginning of a MAGA meltdown? Tune in to find out. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are hitting Americans where it hurts: their wallets. From groceries to electronics, prices are climbing, and are expected to rise further. But wait, there's more. The administration claims these tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing, yet building factories isn't an overnight endeavor. Adding insult to injury, there's growing concern over potential corruption. Journalist Jacob Ward joins us to dig into the case and break down the facts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, President Trump's approval rating has dipped to 42%, the lowest since his return to office . Americans are expressing growing concern over his expansive use of executive power, including efforts to control universities and cultural institutions. Meanwhile, the economy isn't offering any solace. With aggressive tariffs and erratic economic policies, public confidence is waning, with many viewing his economic strategies as too unpredictable . Join Don as he breaks down the numbers, the narratives, and what this could mean for the 2026 midterm elections. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Trump's political stronghold? Let's discuss. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pete Hegseth Signal scandal is still spiraling—and the question remains: will he ever face consequences? Leaking military plans in a family group chat isn’t just reckless, it’s a national security nightmare. So why is he still calling the shots? Meanwhile, chaos continues as Tim Pool—yes, the beanie’d YouTuber with alleged ties to Russia—somehow landed a seat at a White House press briefing. How did that happen? And what does it say about the administration’s media strategy... or lack thereof? Don is joined by journalist, author, and radio host Clay Cane to break down the dysfunction, the double standards, and the daily disaster that passes for governance in 2025. It’s gonna be a wild one. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down with journalist Ryan Lizza to dive into the current media landscape. How are media corporations responding to MAGA? Why are we still engaging in both sidesism? Join Don and Ryan to break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning, Lemon Nation! Just when you thought Signal-gate couldn’t get any dumber—Pete Hegseth outdoes himself by sending actual military attack plans in a Signal group chat with his family. Yes, his family. Will he take responsibility? Of course not. He went straight to Fox & Friends to blame... everyone else. We’re breaking down the national security disaster that somehow still has a corner office at the Pentagon, plus the latest grim economic outlook as Trump’s trade war continues to rattle markets and tank global confidence. Chaos, deflection, and denial—it’s just another day in 2025. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen is making quite a splash in the Democratic Party. After his recent trip to El Salvador, where he fought tooth and nail to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, dems are wondering if this is the right fight to take on. Tune in for Don's take! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Signal Scandal: Pete Hegseth Sends Attack Plans… to His Family? Yes, you read that right. Pete Hegseth is at it again—this time sharing sensitive military attack plans in a Signal chat with his own family members. What is happening at the Pentagon? Is this gross incompetence, reckless arrogance, or both? And the real question: how is this man still in charge? Tonight, Don dives into the chaos with our Tier 3 members—the Lemon Legends—to unpack what this means for national security, chain of command, and whether Hegseth might finally be on his way out. This one’s messy. Don’t miss it. 🍋 This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This morning, the Vatican confirmed the death of Pope Francis—just one day after a high-profile visit from Vice President J.D. Vance. The Pope has been fairly critical of the Trump administration’s policies on immigration, poverty, and human rights. Meanwhile, back home, things aren’t exactly calm: Pete Hegseth is under fire again for sharing sensitive military info in yet another unsecured Signal chat—this time with his family. The Pentagon is reportedly in chaos, morale is tanking, and Hegseth’s leadership is being called everything but competent. Don breaks down the optics, the fallout, and the increasingly dystopian state of governance. Tune in, Lemon Nation—because even satire couldn’t write this mess. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this candid and timely conversation, Don sits down with former National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton to break down the state of the nation—from the chaos of the Signal-gate scandal to the serious questions surrounding Trump’s actions and whether we’re now facing a full-blown constitutional crisis. No spin, no fluff—just a sharp, honest discussion about national security, accountability, and what happens when the rule of law is treated like a suggestion. You don’t want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know—everything feels heavy right now. The political madness, the economic uncertainty, the nonstop outrage machine… it’s a lot. So this Good Friday, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of our usual Sour Lemon Special, Don is joined by the incredible Iyanla Vanzant—life coach, spiritual teacher, and bestselling author—for a much-needed conversation about how we heal. How we take care of ourselves. And how we start to reconnect with each other in a world that feels like it’s falling apart. No screaming headlines. No doomscrolling. Just a chill check-in with Lemon Nation before we head into the holiday weekend. You’ve earned a breather—join us. 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. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Whether you’ve always been secular or left religion behind, if you don’t want someone else dictating the trip for you, F-F-R-F has your back. Join us. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text the word, “FAMILY” to five eleven five eleven and become a member today. Text fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey there Lemon Nation! Today, Legal analyst, political commentator and Host of the Make It Make Sense Daily Digital Show, Monique Pressley brings us a new episode of The Week With Monique! America is in danger. Are we in a constitutional crisis? Join Monique as she breaks it down for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kilmar Abrego Garcia case just took another wild turn—an appeals court judge (yes, a Republican) just slammed the Trump administration for its blatant disregard of the Supreme Court’s order. Meanwhile, MAGA world is scrambling to rewrite the narrative, painting Abrego Garcia as a villain to justify deporting him without due process. But here’s the twist: even some GOP members are calling this what it is—unconstitutional and dangerous. Don goes live to unpack the legal outrage, the political spin, and why this case could be a tipping point in the fight over the rule of law. 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. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Whether you’ve always been secular or left religion behind, if you don’t want someone else dictating the trip for you, F-F-R-F has your back. Join us. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text the word, “FAMILY” to five eleven five eleven and become a member today. Text fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don sits down with the CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu Meel to discuss the political divide plaguing Gen Z. How can we bridge the gap? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Defying Supreme Court rulings. Weaponizing the DOJ against critics. Attacking the free press—again. At this point, the Trump administration isn’t just testing the limits of democracy... it’s tearing up the rulebook and daring anyone to stop them. So has Trump officially crossed into anti-constitutional territory? And if so—where the hell do we go from here? Don goes live to break it all down: the legal defiance, the authoritarian vibes, and the growing sense that we’re watching the Constitution get slow-roasted in real time. It’s serious. It’s outrageous. And it’s time to pay attention. The Don Lemon Show is up for a Webby! Vote now for Best Podcast Episode – Featured Guest: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/individual-episode/featured-guest 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. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Whether you’ve always been secular or left religion behind, if you don’t want someone else dictating the trip for you, F-F-R-F has your back. Join us. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text the word, “FAMILY” to five eleven five eleven and become a member today. Text fees may apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices