Former CNN host Don Lemon scathingly criticized former President Barack Obama for acting like he and President-elect Trump were “buddies” at former President Carter's funeral.
Talking about him,YouTube channelOver the weekend, Lemon accused Obama and Trump of “chatting and giggling and having a blast together like kids on the playground.”
Lemon pointed to Trump's history of criticizing Obama, including the birtherism conspiracy that falsely claimed Obama was Muslim rather than American-born.
“How could Barack Obama, who has faced years of vicious and racist conspiracies at Trump’s expense, act as such a friend to him? ” asked Lemon.
“Perhaps more critically, he doesn't remember that for months, if not years, the entire party has been calling this man a fascist, a dictator, a threat to democracy. I wonder,” he added. “People couldn't believe what they were seeing. Did the Democrats lie to them? Did Kamala Harris and Joe Biden lie to them? This is just Is it a game?”
During Vice President Harris' campaign for the 2025 presidential race, Mr. Obama compared Mr. Trump to Adolf Hitler. He also said a second term for Trump would be “dangerous.”
Former first lady Michelle Obama did not attend Carter's funeral, but Obama and Trump were among the five living presidents who attended.
In the video of the two sitting side by side, President Trump can be seen saying something that makes President Obama laugh.
Ms. Harris, sitting with her husband in front of the two former presidents, can be seen glancing back before commenting to either of them.
Lemon said that while Obama may have been “just doing his duty” by being friendly to Trump at Carter's funeral, laughing at his jokes was “dangerous” and “offensive.”
“Those are the optics that Democrats are going to have to consider going forward,” Lemon said.
“What you do with that man matters,” he continued, adding that former second lady Karen Pence should not be “more courageous in criticizing Trump” than the first black president. Mr. Pence appeared to ignore Mr. Trump at the church service.
“It's time to let go of the outdated urge to prioritize good relationships with conservative colleagues at all costs,” Lemon says. “Remember, many of these men and women have spent years defending the violent mob that tried to kill you. Why would Karen Pence remember that?” , you don't remember?'
