HOT TOPICS | White House in Chaos Over Pete Hegseth's Venezuela Boat Strike - December 2nd, 2025

Don Lemon sits down with political commentator and writer Ahmed Baba for a timely and wide-ranging conversation. Coming off the heels of Juneteenth, they reflect on what the holiday truly represents in today’s political climate and how freedom, equality, and justice are still up for debate in many corners of the country. Then, they turn to the growing rift inside the MAGA movement. As Trump’s policies become more extreme, some of his loudest defenders—Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and others—are suddenly backing away. Is this the beginning of a MAGA unraveling, or just more strategic rebranding? Don and Ahmed break it all down. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 202531min

Trump’s legal losing streak continues! Today, we're breaking down two major court rulings that just smacked down the Trump administration’s overreach. First up: A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, calling his detention an unlawful retaliation for his pro-Palestinian views. The judge didn’t mince words, saying there’s real evidence that immigration charges were being weaponized to punish protected speech. You know, that pesky Constitution Trump keeps forgetting about? Then, we turn to Harvard where another court ruled that Trump cannot block the university from enrolling foreign students. Turns out, xenophobia isn’t a legal strategy. These back-to-back courtroom losses are a reminder that authoritarian vibes might play well at rallies, but they don’t hold up in court. Let’s get into it. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 20251h 11min

In honor of World Refugee Day, Don sits down with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, for a powerful and urgent conversation about the global refugee crisis. With a record 122 million people displaced worldwide, Miliband breaks down the root causes of this staggering number and the human toll behind the statistics. They also examine the far-reaching implications of the Trump administration’s refugee and immigration policies, from gutted resettlement programs to severe cuts in humanitarian aid. What does this mean for the U.S.'s role on the world stage? And how can Americans step up in a moment that demands action? This is a conversation about accountability, compassion, and what it truly means to lead in a time of crisis. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 202528min

Donald Trump says he’ll make a decision about U.S. involvement in Iran… in two weeks. Sound familiar? That’s because “two weeks” has become Trump’s go-to stall tactic for everything, from healthcare plans to tax returns to infrastructure. So what’s really going on? Is this strategic ambiguity, political theater, or just a guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing? Join us as we unpack Trump’s latest delay, what it could mean for the escalating crisis in the Middle East, and why this “two-week” promise might be the biggest lie on loop. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 20251h 10min

For this special Juneteenth conversation, Don Lemon sits down with John Conyers III to reflect on the meaning of the day, the long fight for Black freedom, and the legacy of his father, the late Congressman John Conyers, one of the longest-serving members of Congress and a tireless advocate for civil rights. From introducing the original bill to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday to pushing for reparations and justice reform, Rep. Conyers left behind a powerful legacy of progress. In this intimate and thoughtful interview, his son opens up about what that legacy means today and why the work is far from over. A powerful reminder that Juneteenth is not just about history, but about the future we’re still building. This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Jun 202529min

Happy Juneteenth! 🇺🇸✊🏽 Today we’re honoring the spirit of freedom and diving into the very real battles still being fought to protect it. Don kicks things off with a breakdown of the latest MAGA meltdowns (yes, they’re still happening), from conspiracy-fueled rants to public tantrums over basic accountability. Then, we’re joined by The Good Liars, the viral duo known for confronting chaos with comedy. You’ve seen them troll MAGA rallies, grill politicians, and expose absurdity in real time. Now they sit down with Don to share what they’ve seen, what keeps them going, and what it’s really like to face delusion head-on. Grab a seat. This one’s good. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jun 202554min

In this inspiring and insightful conversation, Don Lemon sits down with cosmetic chemist and BeautyStat founder Ron Robinson to talk about his journey from aspiring doctor to beauty industry trailblazer. With decades of experience at brands like Estée Lauder and Avon, Ron shares how he built his award-winning skincare brand into a major player in the beauty world while making inclusivity a central mission. Plus, as an advisor to Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar brand Rhode, Ron offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the industry and build something that lasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jun 202526min

It’s official, the MAGA meltdown has begun. As Trump stumbles toward another foreign policy disaster, this time with Iran, some of his most loyal far-right cheerleaders are suddenly slamming the brakes. Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk… yes, those people… are now speaking out against Trump's reckless escalation and apparent thirst for war. Is this a principled stand or just performative outrage? Either way, the MAGA movement is eating itself, and we’re here for the chaos. Join us as we unpack the growing rift inside Trump’s base, the danger of this Iran brinkmanship, and why even the worst people sometimes get something right… accidentally. Bring snacks. It’s gonna be messy. This episode is brought to you by MSI United States. Every woman deserves a choice. Rush your donation today to MSIUNITEDSTATES.ORG, or text "LEMON" to 511 511. Text Fees may apply. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jun 202559min