Former CNN host Don Lemon was confronted by a heckler in Manhattan during the filming of his podcast, leading to a profanity-filled exchange that was caught on video, as reported by The New York Post.
The clash occurred on a New York City street while Lemon, 59, attempted to conduct a man-on-the-street interview.
The encounter began when Lemon approached a man and asked where he was from. The stranger quickly interrupted him. “You’re a f**king moron, dude,” the man said.
“Thank you. So are you,” Lemon replied, smiling before trying to continue the conversation.
LMAO! This man in New York City is a LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/T3nnQWHvZb
DON LEMON: How you doing, sir?
MAN: Who are you?
LEMON: Don Lemon.
MAN: You’re a f-ing moron, dude!
LEMON: Thanks, so are you!
MAN: Except you’ve never heard anything I’ve had to say, and I’ve heard a…
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 8, 2025
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
The man accused CNN and MSNBC of being “full of sh*t,” alleging that the networks misrepresented coverage of Gaza and other international conflicts. Lemon countered by saying the outlets were reporting on rulings from international courts, but the man was unmoved.
“They would never say it’s genocide. They were protecting Israel,” he said.
Lemon attempted to argue that the man contradicted himself by claiming not to watch him while referencing his past segments. “You must watch me. So you’re not making any sense,” Lemon told him.
The man compared it to recognizing actor George Clooney without seeing his movies, before adding, “And I’ve seen you spouting nonsense.”
As the argument escalated, Lemon asked why the man would approach him with an insult. “Because it just comes out, man. Because you’re big and think you’re something,” the man responded.
Lemon then suggested that the man’s behavior reflected poor self-respect.
“I would never in a million years walk up to anybody, whether I knew them or not, and call them a f**king moron,” Lemon said. “Not unless I had terrible self-respect and I wanted to lash out because I felt bad about myself.”
The heckler stood his ground. “I called you a f**king moron. I don’t need to defend that, cuz it’s accurate,” he said.
The exchange devolved into back-and-forth accusations, with Lemon insisting the man had repeated the insult multiple times and the heckler accusing Lemon of insulting him in return.
The interaction ended only after the man walked away, telling Lemon to “go find a library.” Lemon shot back, “You go find a library. There’s a bookstore right there.”
NEW: Don Lemon *SPENDS OVER 5 MINUTES* arguing with man who calls him “F*CKING MORON” @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/MOTveI8dgl
— Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) September 8, 2025
Afterward, Lemon admitted on camera that the argument was “beneath” him but also said he found it “fun.”
The man in the video has not been identified. The New York Post reported that Lemon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lemon was fired by CNN in April 2023 after controversies that included on-air remarks about women being “past their prime” and disputes with colleagues.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.