Don Lemon can’t help but attract controversy.
The CNN Tonight host waded into the debate about President Barack Obama‘s recent use of the N-word on Marc Maron‘s WTF podcast by holding up a sign with the racial epithet written in large capital letters and then asking the audience whether the word offended them. Lemon also tried to conflate the controversy around the N-word with the visual offense caused by the Confederate flag.
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Lemon’s attempts to provoke debate didn’t seem to work judging by the reaction on Twitter, where his actions were met with a storm of ridicule, protest and genuine bewilderment.
Marc Maron provides the thoughtful interview, Don Lemon provides the absurdist comedy. This is the world we live in.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) June 23, 2015
When life gives you Don Lemon’s, turn the channel.
— Gideon Klein (@GideonKlein) June 23, 2015
Here we go: @donlemon with a #ConfederateFlag and a “Nigger” banner. “Does this offend you?” #CNNTonight pic.twitter.com/gU8pfP9ars
— CNN Commentary (@CommentaryCNN) June 23, 2015
Vaguely aware that Don Lemon did something unwise tonight…
— Ta-Nehisi Coates (@tanehisicoates) June 23, 2015
It’s clear that CNN has become more interested in the controversy Don Lemon garners than in his integrity as a news man.
— Amanda Seales (@amandaseales) June 23, 2015
C’mon, Don Lemon, you have to at least give a spoiler alert. pic.twitter.com/mzmkC41nPW
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) June 23, 2015
what in blue buttery hell is don lemon doing pic.twitter.com/Y3LD36INjS
— Tracy LaFway Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) June 23, 2015
