Former CNN host Don Lemon experienced a moment of clarity recently when he acknowledged that woke politics has taken the form of a religion. This revelation came during the latest episode of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher.”
Maher addressed the recent controversy at NPR in which a veteran editor blasted the outlet for its blatant liberal bias. That long-time journalist, Uri Berliner, ultimately resigned after being suspended without pay.
The HBO host is an unabashed leftist but also a sincere critic of woke extremism. Maher asked Lemon about the NPR fiasco, and that’s when the controversial dogma of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) took center stage.
Even Don Lemon Says DEI Has Gone Too Far
In a totally surprising revelation, twice-fired talk show host Don Lemon says while DEI has "some great things", he also says it's gone too far and has become "like a religion."
What do you think of his comments?#DonLemon #DEI pic.twitter.com/SwRWc7Xlk0
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) April 28, 2024
Maher questioned, “The NPR flap, that was the big story last week. What do you think about that…as someone who’s had his tussles with media?”
After first admitting that public radio absolutely has a “liberal bent,” Lemon added. “DEI is — look, there’s some great things about DEI, but it’s not all you know, roses, and I think we need to take a look at it and do some rejiggering.”
Then Lemon got more pointed. “Because it’s gone too far. It’s become a religion. And if you don’t abide by the religion you get kicked out of the church.”
The former host acknowledged that he would take a lot of flak from liberals for his viewpoint. But then he added, “I like DEI, but when it becomes a religion it can be used as a cudgel.”
Maher responded to his guest by agreeing that his summary of DEI “is absolutely true and completely reasonable.”
The host continued, “That is the exact kind of thing if you said that on NPR, they’d fire you.” Then he quipped to Lemon, “You’ve been fired enough lately.”
Lemon was a longtime voice on CNN before sinking last year amid numerous controversies. His female colleagues were shocked when he referred to former Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as “past her prime.”
He was fired but then appeared to gain new life with a program on X. But that was before Elon Musk canceled his program after a raucous interview.
