In honor of World Refugee Day, Don sits down with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, for a powerful and urgent conversation about the global refugee crisis. With a record 122 million people displaced worldwide, Miliband breaks down the root causes of this staggering number and the human toll behind the statistics. They also examine the far-reaching implications of the Trump administration’s refugee and immigration policies, from gutted resettlement programs ...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min
Donald Trump says he’ll make a decision about U.S. involvement in Iran… in two weeks. Sound familiar? That’s because “two weeks” has become Trump’s go-to stall tactic for everything, from healthcare plans to tax returns to infrastructure. So what’s really going on? Is this strategic ambiguity, political theater, or just a guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing? Join us as we unpack Trump’s latest delay, what it could mean for the escalating crisis in the Middle East, and why this “two-week” promis...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min
For this special Juneteenth conversation, Don Lemon sits down with John Conyers III to reflect on the meaning of the day, the long fight for Black freedom, and the legacy of his father, the late Congressman John Conyers, one of the longest-serving members of Congress and a tireless advocate for civil rights. From introducing the original bill to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday to pushing for reparations and justice reform, Rep. Conyers left behind a powerful legacy of progress...
Jun 20, 2025•29 min
Happy Juneteenth! 🇺🇸✊🏽 Today we’re honoring the spirit of freedom and diving into the very real battles still being fought to protect it. Don kicks things off with a breakdown of the latest MAGA meltdowns (yes, they’re still happening), from conspiracy-fueled rants to public tantrums over basic accountability. Then, we’re joined by The Good Liars, the viral duo known for confronting chaos with comedy. You’ve seen them troll MAGA rallies, grill politicians, and expose absurdity in real time. N...
Jun 19, 2025•55 min
In this inspiring and insightful conversation, Don Lemon sits down with cosmetic chemist and BeautyStat founder Ron Robinson to talk about his journey from aspiring doctor to beauty industry trailblazer. With decades of experience at brands like Estée Lauder and Avon, Ron shares how he built his award-winning skincare brand into a major player in the beauty world while making inclusivity a central mission. Plus, as an advisor to Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar brand Rhode, Ron offers invaluable a...
Jun 19, 2025•26 min
It’s official, the MAGA meltdown has begun. As Trump stumbles toward another foreign policy disaster, this time with Iran, some of his most loyal far-right cheerleaders are suddenly slamming the brakes. Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk… yes, those people… are now speaking out against Trump's reckless escalation and apparent thirst for war. Is this a principled stand or just performative outrage? Either way, the MAGA movement is eating itself, and we’re here for the chaos. Join us as w...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr
Don Lemon sits down with Andrew Yang for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation about the future of American politics and technology. Yang shares why he believes the two-party system is broken, what's holding Democrats back, and why it’s time to rethink how we engage voters. Then they dive into the rise of artificial intelligence, what it means for the economy, the workforce, and whether our leaders are prepared for the disruption. Smart, sharp, and surprisingly candid, this is a conversatio...
Jun 18, 2025•45 min
We’ve got a jam-packed show today starting with the headlines rocking Hollywood. Tyler Perry has been accused and sued for sexual harassment and assault. Joining us to break it all down is TMZ’s own Charles Latibeaudiere, with the latest on what’s been confirmed, what’s being alleged, and where things may go next. Then we pivot to the brewing civil war inside MAGA world. Turns out not all of Trump’s loyalists are on board with his Iran stance. Are we witnessing a real split or just another atten...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 7 min
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE after peacefully questioning whether or not they had a warrant. Can ICE even arrest U.S. citizens? Brad will join us live to walk us through what happened and why he's not backing down in the face of Trump's increasingly authoritarian playbook. Then, we're diving into a bombshell breaking story: new accusations surfacing against media mogul Tyler Perry. Jason Lee of Hollywood Unlocked joins Don to break down what we know, what’s unconfirm...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In today’s livestream, we dive into the shocking news out of New York City: Democratic Comptroller Brad Lander has been arrested by ICE. Yes, you read that right...ICE. Since when does Immigration and Customs Enforcement have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens, let alone elected officials? Lander’s so-called “crime”? Asking to see a warrant. This is the latest in a disturbing pattern of crackdowns on dissent and Democratic voices. First Senator Padilla, now this. What exactly is going on, and...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this powerful and timely conversation, Don Lemon sits down with Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD, to break down the state of Pride in 2025—and why this year feels different. With over 700 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country and political rhetoric reaching dangerous new heights, Sarah unpacks where this wave of hatred is coming from, how it's impacting real lives, and what needs to happen next. From broken media narratives to corporate cowardice, no topic is off-limit...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min
The Israel-Iran conflict is spiraling, and fast. After days of strikes and mounting civilian casualties, tensions in the region are hitting a boiling point. And now, Donald Trump is inserting himself into the chaos, publicly urging people to “immediately evacuate Tehran.” (Helpful? Not really. Alarming? Absolutely.) As the possibility of U.S. involvement grows, we’re asking the real questions: Is this how World War III starts? What’s actually happening on the ground? And how much of this is driv...
Jun 17, 2025•57 min
Trump threw himself a $45 million military birthday bash… and barely anyone showed up. The tanks rolled. The jets flew. But the vibes? Flat. The crowd? Sparse. And the headlines? Brutal. Now, the fallout begins. Join Don Lemon, Michael Fanone, and the Jolly Good Ginger as they break down what went wrong, why this parade flop matters, and what it reveals about Trump’s slipping grip on public support. From the staggering price tag to the no-show allies to the contrast with the massive No Kings pro...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Well, that was...underwhelming. Trump’s $45 million birthday bash-slash-military-parade was supposed to be a flex. Instead, it flopped harder than his NFT collection. Sparse crowds, low energy, and, according to many who watched, absolutely boring. Meanwhile, the No Kings protest turned into something historic. Data analysts are reporting it may be the largest protest in U.S. history. The streets were packed, the message was clear, and no tanks were needed to get people to show up. So...remind u...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Join Don Lemon, Joy Reid, and Jim Acosta for a special livestream event as they unpack the No Kings protests rocking the nation. From the chilling crackdown on free speech to the MAGA movement’s authoritarian overreach, we’re diving into what this moment means for democracy. Don, Joy, and Jim will be in real-time conversation with the people who are on the ground. We’ll hear from activists, journalists, and organizers reporting live from the front lines. This isn’t just analysis. It’s a rallying...
Jun 15, 2025•3 hr 14 min
What do you get when you put Don Lemon, Tara Palmeri, Mike Nellis, Michael Fanone, and Glenn Kirschner in one livestream? A reality check we all desperately need. From the chaos in Los Angeles, where Trump’s administration keeps sending in troops no one asked for, to the rising tension between Israel and Iran (and U.S. involvement that feels like we’re inching toward World War III), this conversation goes deep. Plus: the ever-growing pile of Trump nonsense, legal failures, and the dangerous eros...
Jun 14, 2025•1 hr 40 min
Just one day before Trump’s multi-million-dollar birthday military parade, the world is teetering on the edge of global conflict. After Israel launched strikes on Iran, Iran retaliated, and now, the U.S. is reportedly stepping in. Because nothing says “peace through strength” like a potential world war... and a massive military parade. While tensions in the Middle East explode, Trump is busy polishing tanks for his party and pretending everything’s just fine. Meanwhile, Americans are bracing for...
Jun 13, 2025•59 min
Last night, Israel launched strikes on Iran, an unprecedented escalation that has global leaders on edge and many wondering: are we staring down the barrel of World War III? Meanwhile, back home, things aren’t looking any more stable. In Los Angeles, the Trump administration continues to back its unconstitutional deployment of the National Guard to silence protesters. And just when we thought the authoritarianism couldn’t get any more blatant, Senator Alex Padilla was detained and dragged out of...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In a shocking and brutal display of authoritarian overreach, Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a Kristi Noem press event in Los Angeles. And by “forcibly,” we mean tackled and dragged to the ground by Noem’s security detail because apparently asking questions is now a punishable offense. So… this is where we are now? Elected officials being physically assaulted for showing up in their own state? Is this Kristi Noem’s version of “law and order”? Or just more of the GOP’s ongoing war ...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 48 min
The tide is turning, and people are done staying quiet. Let's take a look at the growing chorus of voices speaking out against Donald Trump and his inhumane policies. From celebrities to lawmakers, folks are using their platforms to say what needs to be said. Kim Kardashian called the ICE raids what they are: inhumane. Tyler Perry and Doechii used their time at the BET Awards to call out Trump directly. And Eva Longoria took to social media to slam the cruelty of ICE detention practices. The mes...
Jun 12, 2025•52 min
Elon Musk is backpedaling again. After throwing some spicy shots at Donald Trump, he’s now walking them back, saying he regrets his posts. Awww. Is this the end of their billionaire bromance feud? Or just a pause in the circus? Meanwhile, new reports reveal that the Fort Bragg soldiers at Trump’s speech were handpicked for optics, carefully curated to look the part and hold the "right" political views. Sound familiar? It's all part of the lead-up to Trump’s upcoming birthday parade: a pageant of...
Jun 11, 2025•57 min
In this powerful sit-down, Don Lemon is joined by political commentator and journalist Ahmed Baba to break down the latest chaos from the Trump administration. From targeting immigrants who are following the rules to deploying the military to American cities (against the will of state leaders) this presidency is veering deeper into authoritarian territory by the day. California said “no thanks,” but Trump sent the troops anyway. Immigrant families doing everything right? Still under attack. So w...
Jun 11, 2025•23 min
The Trump administration keeps turning up the heat. First the National Guard, now the Marines. But is this military escalation really about maintaining peace, or manufacturing chaos? The media’s showing burning cars and chaos in the streets, but folks on the ground in LA are telling a very different story. Let's cut through the smoke (literally and figuratively) to ask: what’s actually happening in Los Angeles? Is this response about safety or about optics and control? And how much is too much w...
Jun 11, 2025•48 min
Don Lemon sits down with friend of the show and retired D.C. police officer Michael Fanone to unpack the latest descent into chaos. From the military escalation in L.A. (where the only thing being protected is Trump’s ego), to MAGA’s ongoing war on accountability, to the bizarre plans for Trump’s upcoming birthday parade, they break it all down. Why is Trump acting like a dictator on tour? And why are so many people still cheering him on? Tune in for facts, fire, and zero tolerance for fascism. ...
Jun 10, 2025•26 min
The showdown is heating up. In the wake of escalating protests in Los Angeles, Donald Trump has steamrolled past state authority, first sending in the National Guard, then Marines, and now more National Guard, all without California’s consent. Governor Gavin Newsom says his state didn’t ask for this and doesn’t want it. And now? Trump is openly endorsing Newsom’s arrest. Yes, you read that right. Newsom is turning to the courts, arguing this is a blatant violation of state sovereignty. And he’s ...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Don Lemon sits down with journalist Josh Vaughn and elected official Lamont Jones to expose the horrifying reality inside Dauphin County Prison in Pennsylvania, infamous for having double the national average of inmate deaths. Josh has spent years reporting on the systemic abuse at the prison: from a 17-day solitary confinement blackout to inhumane conditions like freezing cells and medical neglect. Lamont, once incarcerated there himself, is now seeking justice after the suspicious death of his...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min
What started as protests against ICE raids has spiraled into something far more dangerous. Despite California officials saying they had things under control, Trump has now deployed not just the National Guard, but marines and even more National Guard to Los Angeles, all without the state’s consent. Governor Gavin Newsom is calling it what it is: federal overreach. So… is this a violation of states’ rights? Is Trump trying to provoke violence for political gain? And if this can happen in Californ...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 14 min
This conversation was too good to keep buried in the Substack archives. In this candid and wide-ranging sit-down, Don Lemon is joined by political analyst and writer Ahmed Baba to talk about the chaos of the current political moment and why independent media is more essential than ever. From the grift-filled mess that is Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” to the hilariously public meltdown of the Trump/Elon bromance, nothing is off-limits. Smart. Sharp. And very snarky. You won’t want to mis...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min
For the second time today, we’re going live to break down the disturbing escalation in Los Angeles. Protests against ICE raids turned into a national crisis after Trump deployed the National Guard without California’s request, the first time a president has done that in decades. And now? The administration is reportedly preparing to deploy Marines. Yes, you read that right. Marines. Against civilians. For protesting. California officials are demanding they leave. Trump and his cabinet are doubli...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Thousands of Los Angeles residents hit the streets to protest ICE’s increasingly aggressive raids, exercising their First Amendment rights, as Americans tend to do. But instead of listening or de-escalating, Donald Trump decided to call in the National Guard. That’s right: federal troops, deployed without the governor’s request for the first time in decades. California officials are demanding they stand down. Trump’s cabinet is doubling down. So the question is: Are we witnessing the rise of an ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 18 min
