Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, has recently made serious allegations of sexual harassment against female colleagues during his time at the network. In a candid conversation on Bill Maher’s podcast, Lemon described uncomfortable encounters he experienced with both men and women while working at CNN for 17 years.
Lemon shared a particularly shocking incident where a female co-worker pinched his nipples in the cafeteria, joking about the temperature. He expressed his surprise at the behavior, stating that if he had done something similar, he would have faced immediate consequences. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, Lemon chose not to report it to human resources, believing there was a double standard in how such incidents are treated.
He also recounted another incident involving a different female colleague, who, knowing he was gay, acted inappropriately during an off-site event. Lemon felt hesitant to speak up about this encounter as he feared he would not be taken seriously due to her higher status within the company.
Throughout the podcast, Lemon reflected on gender dynamics in the workplace. He acknowledged that he felt empowered as a man to reject advances without fearing significant repercussions. He mentioned that he preferred to handle uncomfortable situations directly rather than escalating them through formal channels.
In addition to discussing harassment, Lemon opened up about his own childhood trauma, linking it to his experiences at CNN. He did not provide further details on harassment by male colleagues but emphasized the importance of addressing such issues in a way that does not ruin careers.
Lemon’s comments come after a tumultuous period at CNN, where he faced backlash for previous controversial statements. He was fired in April 2023, shortly after a report surfaced detailing allegations of misogynistic behavior during his tenure. Following his departure from CNN, Lemon has started his own podcast.
As the conversation around workplace harassment continues to evolve, Lemon’s experiences highlight the complexities and challenges faced by individuals in addressing inappropriate behavior in professional settings.