A former colleague of Don Lemon at CNN is raising doubts about whether he should be classified as a journalist following his involvement in a recent protest at a church in Minnesota.
Chris Sillizza, the former editor-in-chief at CNN, reflected on this in a Substack post titled, “Is Don Lemon a Journalist?” He posed questions about the journalistic status of various media figures, including mentioning that he doesn’t see the “Pod Save America” crew or Ben Shapiro as journalists, though he admits he isn’t sure if that’s a widespread opinion. Sillizza wrote, “People like Don, who have found success in the world of independent creators, raise challenging questions for me.”
He noted that while he and Lemon weren’t close friends, they did share a friendly rapport. Sillizza also mentioned he didn’t think Lemon should be criticized for his church actions. Still, he pointed out that Lemon appears to be clearly embracing a more activist role, referencing some of Lemon’s Substack headlines that express strong viewpoints on Donald Trump.
Sillizza questioned the definition of journalism today, wondering if the term “partisan journalist” is contradictory. He expressed confusion about where to draw the line, especially as journalism evolves rapidly amidst changes in how audiences seek and consume news.
He stressed that he doesn’t consider himself the ultimate authority on who qualifies as a journalist, especially with the increasing prominence of independent media. He raised important points about whether the output from self-identified journalists is valued equally and the distinctions between activism and traditional journalism.
As for Lemon, he hasn’t yet made any comments on the matter. Meanwhile, his involvement in the protest has drawn attention from the Justice Department, which is reportedly looking into his presence among protestors at St. Paul’s Church, linked to allegations against the church’s pastor of collusion with ICE.
Despite some charges being dismissed, Lemon maintained an assertive stance, stating, “I stand proud, and I stand tall. This isn’t a victory lap; it’s not over yet. They’ll keep trying.”
In expressing his unwavering commitment to journalism, Lemon remarked, “This won’t diminish my voice. Call me the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want, but I’m still here.”
Lemon has consistently labeled himself a journalist, suggesting that this classification affords him First Amendment protections while reporting on civil unrest. However, there are discrepancies between his claims of ignorance about the protest plans and his recorded actions at the church, where he filmed confrontations even before the group arrived.
His attorney, Abby Rowell, remarked that Lemon’s actions fall under protected journalism and emphasized that if the DOJ continues its efforts to intimidate journalists, Lemon would speak out against those attempts.
