Lemon on CNN says Trump should ‘stop threatening democracy’

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon returned to the network Tuesday for an interview on “OutFront” with Erin Burnett, in which he said former President Trump’s hate-filled comments are fueling violence directed towards himself.

Lemon’s comments came after Trump pinned the blame on Democrats’ rhetoric for the apparent assassination attempt against him on Sunday, which was foiled when Secret Service spotted the would-be gunman hiding in bushes on Trump’s golf course.

“But for Donald Trump and his folks to say — and JD Vance to say — that it’s Democrats who are causing this… that’s an issue,” Lemon said, referring to Trump’s running mate.

The interview was Lemon’s second appearance on CNN after being fired in April of 2023, concluding a 17-year career with the company. He recited some of Trump’s insults and inflammatory rhetoric toward perceived political opponents, and said the warnings about Trump returning to the White House were merited.

“So, he’s called everyone who works in this building ‘the enemy of the people,’ right,” Lemon said of Trump’s rhetoric toward mainstream media outlets including CNN, going on to list his nicknames for other opponents. “Crooked Joe. Crooked Hillary. Crooked Kamala. Comrade Kamala. Deranged Jack Smith. Birdbrain Nikki Haley,” he said.

“There won’t be another election if he’s not elected,” added Lemon, who now has his own show on Youtube and social platforms.

“[I]f Donald Trump wants people, wants Kamala Harris and others to stop saying that he is a threat to democracy, then he should stop threatening democracy,” Lemon told Burnett. “Perhaps he shouldn’t be trying to overturn elections, overthrow the government, and inciting insurrections.”

After the second assassination attempt in nearly two months, Trump he has repeatedly faulted Democrats for the security threats. Ryan Wesley Routh allegedly camped out at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla. with an AK-47 style rifle for nearly 12 hours before Secret Service spotted him, a few hundred feet from the former president. Secret Service shot at the suspect and apprehended him before anyone was hurt, and later said the suspect did not fire any shots, and never had Trump in his sightline.

“The Rhetoric, Lies, as exemplified by the false statements made by Comrade Kamala Harris during the rigged and highly partisan ABC Debate, and all of the ridiculous lawsuits specifically designed to inflict damage on Joe’s, then Kamala’s, Political Opponent, ME, has taken politics in our Country to a whole new level of Hatred, Abuse, and Distrust,” Trump wrote yesterday on Truth Social.

Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have condemned any form of political violence against the former president.

Biden released a statement after Sunday’s incident saying he was “relieved” that the former president was unharmed.

“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety,” he said.