HOT TOPICS | This Is A Shutdown Teardown! - October 21st, 2025

Good morning, Lemon Nation! Today, we’re diving into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. After Trump loudly declared a ceasefire, it took less than a news cycle for both countries to go back to lobbing missiles and insults. And now Trump, clearly frustrated, has responded with a quote for the history books: "They don't know what the f** they're doing."* Well, the same could be said of the so-called dealmaker-in-chief. His self-proclaimed peace plan has collapsed faster than his approval ratings post-parade. What does this mean for the region? For America? For the world? Let’s break down the fallout, the global implications, and why diplomacy via tantrum rarely ends well. This episode is sponsored by 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/donlemon and get on your way to being your best self. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Jun 20251h 10min

Don Lemon sits down with political strategist Steve Schmidt for a sharp, unfiltered conversation on the state of the world and the chaos at home. They break down the U.S. strike on Iran, Iran’s swift retaliation on a U.S. base in Qatar, and what this dangerous tit-for-tat means for America’s future. Plus, they dive into the broken state of U.S. politics where extremism runs rampant, leadership is lacking, and the stakes have never been higher. This is a must-watch for anyone trying to make sense of a world on edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Jun 202537min

Tensions are rising, and fast. Iran has just launched a retaliatory attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, following American strikes over the weekend. Is this the final move in an already dangerous game of escalation… or just the beginning? Don breaks it all down. Then we pivot to the political circus unfolding a little closer to home: the NYC mayoral race. Don is joined by former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner and tech culture journalist Taylor Lorenz to unpack the chaos, cross-endorsements, and what this race says about the future of Democratic politics. From international conflict to New York street fights, buckle up. 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 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Jun 20251h 5min

The U.S. has officially launched strikes on Iran. What does this mean for global stability? Is war now inevitable, or is there still a way out? Tensions in the Middle East are spiraling, allies are on edge, and Trump is already playing this as a win. Join Don to break down the facts, the fallout, and what happens next because this isn’t just foreign policy, it’s our future on the line. 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 120 Life. Go to https://120life.com and use the code, “D-O-N ” to save 20% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Jun 20251h 29min

Don Lemon sits down with NYC mayoral candidate Michael Blake for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the future of New York City. Blake lays out his bold vision for the city, from public safety and housing to economic opportunity and government accountability, and explains why he believes he’s the leader New York needs right now. They also dive into the unique strategy behind candidates cross-endorsing each other in this race, and what that says about coalition-building, political unity, and the stakes of this election. Whether you're undecided or just curious, this conversation offers a clear window into the campaign and the candidate behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Jun 202526min

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