A heated television interview between Piers Morgan and former CNN host Don Lemon descended into a verbal confrontation on September 19, 2024, during which Morgan called Lemon a complete expletive on his show “Piers Morgan Uncensored.”
The interview began civilly, focusing on free speech in America following the recent assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. However, tensions escalated when Morgan asked whether Lemon felt he was a victim of cancel culture following his departure from CNN in April 2023.
Lemon responded affirmatively, stating he was probably a victim of cancel culture. Morgan then played a controversial clip from February 2023 showing Lemon being criticized by female colleagues after he suggested that former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not in her prime, stating that women are considered to be in their prime in their twenties, thirties, and maybe forties.
The former CNN anchor immediately objected to the inclusion of the clip, claiming he had been ambushed. Lemon indicated that when Morgan outlined the interview topics, he mentioned wanting to discuss freedom of speech in America and the response to Kirk’s death, but never mentioned they would discuss CNN or his departure from the network. He stated he probably would not have accepted the interview had he known those topics would be covered.
Morgan defended his line of questioning, explaining that Lemon had brought up cancel culture first, and he simply asked whether Lemon’s CNN departure was an example of that phenomenon. As the discussion intensified, both men began shouting over each other, with Lemon accusing Morgan of being disingenuous about the interview’s intended focus.
The confrontation reached its peak when Lemon asked if Morgan had invited him to interrupt him. Morgan responded, “I think you’re being a complete ****, if I’m honest with you.” Lemon replied sarcastically, noting the kind and respectful nature of the comment, to which Morgan clarified his remark was not intended to be kind or respectful.
Despite the hostile exchange, Lemon maintained his composure, indicating he could respond in kind but chose not to because he considered himself above such behavior. Morgan continued his criticism, questioning why Lemon was playing the victim card when he himself had mentioned cancel culture.
Lemon attempted to show evidence contradicting Morgan’s claims while being repeatedly interrupted. In an effort to move the conversation forward, Lemon stated he had given Morgan his moment and predicted the exchange would go viral, suggesting Morgan wanted exactly that type of confrontational moment rather than conducting respectful journalism.
The former CNN host maintained that the clip Morgan showed had nothing to do with his departure from the network and accused the host of taking his remarks out of context. Lemon argued that his controversial comments about Haley were not the reason for his termination after 17 years at the network.
After the interview was recorded but before its release, Morgan posted on social media expressing confusion about Lemon’s behavior during their encounter. He later described Lemon as behaving like an arrogant individual and suggested the former CNN anchor was panicking about his appearance in the interview.
Lemon responded on Instagram, expressing disappointment that they could not have a productive conversation. He indicated he had expected a meaningful discussion but felt Morgan was instead seeking clickbait moments for viral content.
The two eventually moved past the heated exchange to discuss other topics including Charlie Kirk and gun laws, though the atmosphere remained notably tense throughout the remainder of the interview. Both continued to exchange barbs during the subsequent discussion.
This confrontation adds to a recent string of difficult public encounters for Lemon. The previous week, while conducting a man-on-the-street interview in New York City, a passerby called him derogatory names and accused news networks of spreading false information about various conflicts.