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He’s the most busted name in news – and it appears that even White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wants nothing to do with CNN’s Don Lemon.
During an appearance on ‘CNN This Morning’ on Thursday, KJP made it clear to network producers that she would prefer to be interviewed by Lemon’s co-host Poppy Harlow.
‘The White House asked for her not to be interviewed by Don,’ a source told the New York Post.
Although the reasoning behind her request is not clear, insiders believe that it may be due to Lemon’s recent on-air gaffes or down to previous tense on-air exchanges in which Lemon grilled Biden’s press secretary over his mental and physical fitness.
The White House has denied making such a request.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre requested to not be interviewed by Don Lemon on ‘CNN This Morning’ this week, but instead by Poppy Harlow
Lemon has recently been in the spotlight for a series of alleged misogynistic comments and bullying in the workplace at CNN
‘We’re not going to detail our conversations with any media outlets, but as always the anchor is the network’s call and not ours,’ a spokesperson for Jean-Pierre explained.
Similarly, CNN declined to offer any specific reasoning for not having Lemon ask the questions.
‘The decision to have Poppy conduct the interview was made independently by CNN’, the network stated.
Lemon has been in the spotlight recently for a series of alleged misogynistic episodes and workplace bullying.
Despite such allegations, CNN said the decision to have Harlow conduct the interview was made independently.
During an appearance on ‘CNN This Morning’ on Thursday, KJP made it clear to network producers that she would prefer to be interviewed by Lemon’s co-host Poppy Harlow, pictured
In February, Lemon went an on-air and ranted about the 51-year-old former Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley being ‘not in her prime’ as she declared her decision to make a run for the GOP nomination.
It saw Harlow walk off the set in disgust and later resulted in widespread outrage from CNN staffers – as well as Jean-Pierre, who when asked to comment on Lemon’s remarks, carefully noted how it was CNN’s obligation to deal with them. ‘That is something clearly that needs to be addressed,’ she said at the time.
It led to Lemon being suspended from the flagship morning show for three days before offering a mea culpa and a promise to undergo ‘formal training’ following his sexist comments.
Weeks before, he also sparked outrage after asking a female co-host who stumbled on her words whether she had ‘mommy brain’.
And in December 2022, he drew criticism from his female co-hosts after he said men’s soccer is ‘more interesting to watch’ than women’s soccer.
‘The men’s team makes more money. If they make more money, then they should get more money,’ Lemon said.
‘The men’s team makes more money because people are more interested in the men.’
Lemon and Jean-Pierre previously came to blows last year in June 2022 when he grilled her about President Biden’s mental fitness.
Lemon and Jean-Pierre previously came to blows last year when in June 2022 he grilled her about President Biden’s mental fitness.
‘Does the president have the stamina, physically and mentally, do you think, to continue on even after 2024?’ Lemon asked the press secretary.
‘That is not a question that we should be even asking,’ she replied in a testy exchange.
‘You know, I can’t even keep up with him,’ she said. ‘Just look at the work he does. And look how he’s delivering for the American public.’
Despite Lemon’s qualifying his line of questioning as simply that of journalistic duty to inquire about the ‘health, history, both physically and mentally’ of the president of the US, Jean-Pierre was taken aback.
“I’m not as sharp as I used to be. And the job of president of the United States is a really, really tough job,” Lemon said explaining himself. “I’m sure he’s up to the job, but it is my job as a journalist to ask.”
Lemon’s antics at CNN have raised eyebrows of others working at the network.
In December, Lemon allegedly yelled at co-host Kaitlan Collins off-camera for interrupting him during a broadcast. The host’s tirade reportedly led Collins to run off the set in tears
In December, Lemon allegedly yelled at co-host Kaitlan Collins off-camera for interrupting him during a broadcast.
The veteran broadcast host’s tirade reportedly led Collins to run off the set in tears, while stunned crew members and colleagues watched on.
CNN boss Chris Licht, who pledged to give CNN a makeover since taking over the outlet last year and then announced shocking layoffs, was supposedly stunned at the news and told Lemon to take the following day to ‘cool off.’
A source told The Post that Lemon’s rant left Collins ‘visibly upset’.
And soon after their fiery clash, Collins dropped her ‘superagent’ that she shared with Lemon amid the ongoing CNN drama.
According to a memo sent to staffers, Licht said: ‘I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation.
‘He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously.
‘It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes.’
Lemon returned to the show but did not acknowledge the backlash he faced live on air – instead issued a groveling apology online moments before the show aired.
Licht previously said that the remarks were ‘upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization’ during an editorial call.
Such concerns were further highlighted by a recent Variety exposé revealing Lemon’s history of alleged misogynistic behavior and bullying.
The allegations this time date back to 2008. Sources told Variety that Lemon, 57, was rude to Nancy Grace on the air, and Soledad O’Brien during an editorial meeting attended by roughly 30 staffers.
One senior executive told Variety at the time: ‘As fast as you could make a rule, Don would bend it.’
