Former CNN host Don Lemon, known for his strong left-wing views before his departure from the network, marked Halloween by dressing up as Vice President Kamala Harris. Sporting a string of pearls, a dark colored wig, and a blue pantsuit. Lemon paid tribute to Harris, the first female vice president. His fiancé, Tim Malone, joined in by dressing as President Joe Biden, complete with Biden’s trademark dark blue suit, his hair gray-colored, and sporting a pastel blue tie.
The couple showcased their costumes on Instagram, where they were seen holding American flags and raising their hands together. Lemon’s caption referenced Harris’ famous call to Biden, celebrating his victory in 2020. Before revealing their costumes, Lemon had teased their preparation with Instagram stories displaying a table covered in makeup products.
Their Halloween post quickly gained popularity, receiving almost 30,000 likes in less than a day. The image was shared widely, eliciting varied reactions. MSNBC’s Joy Reid expressed her enjoyment, while conservatives, who have frequently criticized Lemon, responded differently.
Lemon has been vocal about his admiration for Harris, especially in 2020 when Biden chose her as his running mate. He highlighted the significance of this choice for Black women and described it as a historic moment, urging celebration regardless of political affiliation.
Don Lemon faced controversy earlier in the year due to remarks he made about Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate and former UN ambassador and governor of South Carolina. Lemon suggested that Ms. Haley was not “in her prime,” defining this prime as being in one’s 20s, 30s, and possibly 40s. This comment was widely criticized as sexist.
On the day of the incident, Lemon regretted his “inartful and irrelevant” remarks and apologized. He also agreed to undergo “mandatory training” following the incident. However, his comments led to significant backlash, including a notable reference by actress Michelle Yeoh, who indirectly addressed Lemon’s comments by encouraging women not to let anyone tell them they are past their prime in her Oscar acceptance speech.
CNN did not specify the reasons for Lemon’s dismissal. Still, in a subsequent statement, the network described Lemon’s account of the events as inaccurate, noting that he had an opportunity to meet with management. Lemon, who has a contract with CNN lasting until 2026, has engaged entertainment lawyer Bryan Freedman to handle his contract matters, as the New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the deal.
