Media

Lemon scolds Cuomo for giving Kellyanne Conway airtime on CNN

by Joe Concha - 03/15/19 8:39 AM ET

CNN anchor Don Lemon argued that his colleague Chris Cuomo should not do an interview with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, arguing it was “beneath the dignity of this network to have someone on who just constantly lies and misconstrues things.”

Lemon made the remark during the hand-off between their two programs on Thursday night after Conway appeared on Cuomo’s show.

“She never answers a question. She berates you. She’s condescending,” Lemon said to Cuomo as Cuomo’s show ended and Lemon’s began.

{mosads}”She uses our network to give her talking points. For me it feels beneath the dignity of this network to have someone on who just constantly lies and misconstrues things,” Lemon said. “When you come on CNN, you have an obligation to be honest with the American people.”

Cuomo responded by stating that he understands where Lemon is coming from but that he thought it was good to have Conway on the air.

“I get the frustration. I get frustrated too,” Cuomo responded during the relatively extended conversation. He then noted that he has more Republicans as guests than most on CNN.

“I deserve the criticism. I do it on purpose. I do it intentionally. I do it for what I believe is good reason. I do it the most. I understand I should get the criticism,” he said.

Conway generally doesn’t appear on CNN but does periodically join “Cuomo Prime Time” for interviews that often go on for more than 30 minutes without commercial interruption.

President Trump often derides the network as “fake news” while praising rival Fox News.

Trump has not appeared on CNN since August 2016 but has appeared on Fox News and Fox Business for interviews more than 40 times since taking office.

Tags CNN CNN News Donald Trump Kellyanne Conway