Former CNN anchor Don Lemon made inflammatory remarks about Black supporters of President Donald Trump, claiming they are not “rational,” during a conversation with HBO’s Bill Maher on Club Random, published Sunday.

Xxx Bill Maher Mug
Lemon also accused a significant portion of Trump’s voter base of being “really f**king racist.”
“I don’t think you can be Black and be a rational MAGA person, I think you can be Black and be a Republican,” Lemon told Maher.
Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’
Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time, pushed back, saying Black Trump supporters would likely find Lemon’s remarks “very insulting.”
“Well, the truth is often insulting,” Lemon responded.
LEMON: “I don’t think that you can be black and be a rational MAGA person.”
MAHER: “I think they would find that very insulting.”
LEMON: “ Well I mean, the truth is often insulting.” pic.twitter.com/mYuCsHntjA
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 16, 2025
American Made Patriotic Apparel – Save 15% with Promo Code MERICA
Lemon’s comments are part of a pattern of aggressive rhetoric toward Trump supporters.
In December, he used his The Don Lemon Show podcast to attack MAGA voters, calling them “f**king idiots” and mocking what he called their “stupid MAGA brain.”
“You’re so f**ing stupid and you deserve it. You f**ing deserve it because you’re so dumb,” Lemon said at the time, referring to a dispute within MAGA circles over H-1B visas.
Lemon spent 17 years at CNN before his abrupt firing in 2023.
His time at the network ended after a controversial stint as a morning show host, during which he frequently clashed with co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.
His remarks about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley being past her “prime” at age 51 sparked backlash and added to tensions that contributed to his dismissal under then-CEO Chris Licht.
Following his CNN departure, Lemon attempted to launch a show on X, but his deal with Elon Musk was scrapped before it aired.
Lemon later filed a lawsuit against Musk, alleging “fraud, negligence, and reputational damage.”
During his conversation with Maher, Lemon did not limit his criticism to Black Trump supporters.
When Maher commented on Tom Hanks’ recent portrayal of a fictional Trump voter who refused to shake a Black character’s hand, Lemon seized on the opportunity to further denounce the movement.
“Let’s be honest, there’s a huge faction of the MAGA movement that’s really f**king racist,” Lemon said.
He also argued that even if a Trump supporter is not racist, their choice to support him might be “more egregious” because they would have to “overlook” what he characterized as racism among Trump’s base.
Lemon’s latest remarks continue a trend of using heated language to describe Trump and his supporters.
His departure from CNN, failed attempt at independent broadcasting, and ongoing feud with Musk suggest he remains a polarizing figure in media and politics.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.