The comments were lit (and still going) on our Instagram after we shared this explosive interview with GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Don Lemon, and rightly so.
Now the New York Times and the NY Post are reporting that the conversation may have contributed to Don Lemon’s firing.
In the footage of the interview, it appears producers were attempting to advise Lemon through the heated debate.
“Please, I cannot keep a thought if you guys are talking in my ear,” he said at one point during the segment.
Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital that he thought it was clear their on-air confrontation “played a role” in CNN’s decision to drop Lemon.
“I think that any network that wants to foster open debate should embrace that principle by not restricting what someone can say or saying what someone can say is restricted based on their skin color,” Ramaswamy told the outlet. “And I think they made the right decision here.”
Lemon, who is black, had said it was “insulting” that the GOPer was “sitting here, whatever ethnicity you are, explaining to me what it’s like to be black in America.”
Watch:
Here were some of the reactions on Twitter:
According to the NYT this interview that Don Lemon conducted last week with Vivek Ramaswamy played a role in his firing. Note co-host Poppy Harlow sitting silently while Lemon goes after Vivek. pic.twitter.com/Fjx5eX30wU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 24, 2023
and
Wooo, that Don Lemon interview with GOP presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, was HEATED this morning
Like he's not sitting there talking to a black man only a few generations removed from slavery ? #CNN pic.twitter.com/ToafpOVei7
— Element X (@FranciskoMayne) April 19, 2023
and
Great news!
Anti-Indian racist Don Lemon has just been fired by CNN a few days after he made bigoted comments to Indian-American presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, saying “whatever ethnicity” you are.
Good riddance to this anti-Indian racist!
— Indian-Americans (@HinduAmericans) April 24, 2023
and
CNN’s Don Lemon to 2024 GOP Presidential Candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy:
“When you are in black skin and you live in this country, you can disagree with me.” pic.twitter.com/h3DTN2NnPb
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 20, 2023
and
not a fan of Don Lemon but this Vivek Ramaswamy is an absofuckinglutely deplorable racist ignorant af LIAR about the the 2nd Amendment & #guns & the NRA & #CivilRights & good for #donlemon Taking out his earpiece & shutting this tool down. BING BONG. Facts matter. #JustSaying pic.twitter.com/qoKeNooowj
— ? (((vaxxed & boosted af still masked up))) (@hedzofhedz) April 19, 2023
Earlier we shared that Don Lemon told social media himself about his departure from CNN, saying:
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play,” Lemon said. “With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”
CNN has since refuted his statement.
The media is having a field day with this one!
Comment below!
