In a recent conversation with Dean Obeidallah on SiriusXM, former CNN host Don Lemon shared his candid views on the current state of corporate media, the influence of media personalities, and the role they played in normalizing the behavior of former President Donald Trump.
Lemon, who has largely distanced himself from cable news, expressed his admiration for MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Fox News' Sean Hannity, despite their contrasting political stances.
"There's a reason I feel that people watch Rachel Maddow. She's a star and not only is she a star, but she has something to say. I want to watch people who have something to say," Lemon stated. He also acknowledged the influence of Hannity, saying, "I dont agree with anything, just about anything Sean Hannity says or has ever said, but he has something to say and a lot of people listen to him. Obviously, he can move the right and I just want to tune in to say, okay, lets see. Seans a star. Theres no denying that."
According to Mediaite, Lemon also addressed the controversy surrounding Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News host who has been a vocal critic of Lemon and now hosts her own SiriusXM show. He criticized Kelly for her behavior, labeling her a "troll" and questioning her current status in the media landscape.
"Even with Megyn Kelly, who I dont agree with anything and who has become a troll and has proven that when she said she wasnt racist, proving she doubles down every single day on that. But people listen to her for some reason and Megyn was a star. I believe that she was a star. I dont believe shes a star now. I dont mean that to denigrate her, but she was a star when she was on Fox and that was where she was supposed to be," Lemon said.
Lemon further elaborated on the importance of media personalities finding their appropriate "platform" or "lane," drawing an analogy with a baseball team. He cited his own experience as a morning show host on CNN as an example of being out of place, and how finding the right platform can enhance a media personality's influence and effectiveness.
"You can be a star, but you also have to play in your lane. If youre out of position then thats going to inhibit you. You can be the best pitcher or whatever and a bad first baseman, but youre great at the game of baseball. So I think you can be a star, but if youre out of position then that hurts you," Lemon said. "And just like I felt like I was out of position with the morning show. At 10 oclock at night, thats a perfect place for me because I have editorial freedom and I could say whatever I wanted to."
Lemon's comments highlight the complex dynamics within the media industry, where the influence of a personality can be as significant as the content they deliver. His views also underscore the importance of media figures maintaining their authenticity and staying true to their beliefs, even when they face criticism or controversy. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the role of media personalities in shaping public opinion and political discourse remains a topic of ongoing debate.
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