Lemon urges reporters covering Trump: 'Have some dignity and a backbone'

Source: The Hill

05/24/26 5:50 PM ET


Independent journalist Don Lemon on Thursday called on news reporters covering President Trump to “have some dignity and a backbone,” using former late-night host Stephen Colbert as an example. Lemon, on his podcast “The Don Lemon Show,” said that “all of the late-night shows are going dark” to praise Colbert ahead of the final episode of “The Late Show.” Then he turned his attention to the Washington Press Corps.

“Do not let Karoline Leavitt call on the next person when you’re not finishing your question. Stand up for your colleagues,” he said, referring to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “Stand up for yourself. Have some dignity and a backbone.”. He urged White House reporters to stand up for their colleagues and “stand up for respect” when facing Trump’s insults during questioning, telling them to “stand up for the First Amendment.”

“The next time someone calls one of your coworkers a piggy, the next time he calls them a loser, the next time he insults them, the next time he tells a Black woman that she knows dirt better than him, say something!” Lemon yelled. The former CNN host was referring to a moment aboard Air Force One in November when the president told Bloomberg’s Catherine Lucey “Quiet, piggy,” after she asked Trump about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lemon also referred to Trump’s attacks on women of color who had asked him a question.

Lemon praised Colbert for “telling the truth on purpose” during his 11-year run as host of “The Late Show.”. “And he is not done,” Lemon added. “And he is not afraid. And then wake up tomorrow and be that same thing in your own life.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/media/5893544-don-lemon-calls-for-press-dignity/