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

This conversation was too good to keep buried in the Substack archives. In this candid and wide-ranging sit-down, Don Lemon is joined by political analyst and writer Ahmed Baba to talk about the chaos of the current political moment and why independent media is more essential than ever. From the grift-filled mess that is Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” to the hilariously public meltdown of the Trump/Elon bromance, nothing is off-limits. Smart. Sharp. And very snarky. You won’t want to miss it. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Juni 202530min

For the second time today, we’re going live to break down the disturbing escalation in Los Angeles. Protests against ICE raids turned into a national crisis after Trump deployed the National Guard without California’s request, the first time a president has done that in decades. And now? The administration is reportedly preparing to deploy Marines. Yes, you read that right. Marines. Against civilians. For protesting. California officials are demanding they leave. Trump and his cabinet are doubling down. So we have to ask: Is this the American Gestapo? Has protest officially been reclassified as a threat to MAGA authority? Join us as we dig into the constitutional chaos, the growing authoritarian playbook, and what this all means for democracy, free speech, and your right to fight back. Spoiler alert: It’s not looking great. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is sponsored by Lean. Get started with 20% off when you enter LEMON20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Beam. Visit https://shopbeam.com/LEMON and use code LEMON to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. 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

9 Juni 20251h 9min

Thousands of Los Angeles residents hit the streets to protest ICE’s increasingly aggressive raids, exercising their First Amendment rights, as Americans tend to do. But instead of listening or de-escalating, Donald Trump decided to call in the National Guard. That’s right: federal troops, deployed without the governor’s request for the first time in decades. California officials are demanding they stand down. Trump’s cabinet is doubling down. So the question is: Are we witnessing the rise of an American Gestapo? Is this just more MAGA authoritarian cosplay, or something far more dangerous? We’re digging into the legal, political, and moral chaos of the moment, because if the federal government is now targeting citizens for protesting injustice… that’s not law and order. That’s a crackdown. Buckle up, Lemon Nation. This is not normal. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at SHOPIFY. COM/lemon This episode is sponsored by Lean. Get started with 20% off when you enter LEMON20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Beam. Visit https://shopbeam.com/LEMON and use code LEMON to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. 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

9 Juni 20251h 18min

Don Lemon sits down with acclaimed Broadway producer Brian Anthony Moreland for a powerful conversation about representation, storytelling, and the transformative power of theatre. As the only Black lead producer on Broadway this season, Moreland is making waves with the bold new revival of Othello. Whether you’re a theatre lover or just someone who believes in the power of art to shape culture, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMONDROPS and use LEMONDROPS at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Juni 202524min

Legal analyst, political commentator, and host of Make It Make Sense Daily, Monique Pressley is back with another sharp and unfiltered episode of The Week With Monique! This time, she’s unpacking the epic fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk—because of course the fate of the nation is being shaped by two fragile egos in full public meltdown. How did we end up here? And more importantly, what does their messy breakup mean for the rest of us? Monique breaks it all down with insight, receipts, and just the right amount of side-eye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Juni 202515min

It’s Day 2 of the Trump–Elon Split, and the drama is only getting juicier. As the public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk escalates, we’re bringing in our Lemon Legends to weigh in on the pettiness, the power plays, and the fallout. Who’s winning this breakup? Who’s losing their mind? And what does this messy meltdown mean for the rest of us? Join Don and the Legends for a wild ride through ego, influence, and the end of a very weird bromance. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to https://FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. 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. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Get started with 20% off when you enter LEMON20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Beam. Visit https://shopbeam.com/LEMON and use code LEMON to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Juni 20251h 16min

Welcome to another morning in America, where two of the world's pettiest billionaires are beefing...loudly, publicly, and stupidly. Today, we’re breaking down all the drama as we head into Day 2 of the Trump/Elon meltdown. The insults are flying, the egos are bruised, and Tesla stock is already feeling the heat. Who comes out on top in this mess? More importantly… what does this feud mean for the rest of us mere mortals trying to survive their chaos? Grab your coffee. It’s going to be another absurd ride. WE HAVE MERCH!! Purchase here: https://don-lemon-merch-store.myshopify.com/ This episode is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Go to https://FFRF.US/Freedom or text DON to 511 511 and become a member today. 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. This episode is sponsored by Lean. Get started with 20% off when you enter LEMON20 at takelean.com. This episode is brought to you by Beam. Visit https://shopbeam.com/LEMON and use code LEMON to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Juni 20251h 7min

Billionaires Are Behaving Badly. Don Lemon sat down with the Jolly Good Ginger to break down the chaos in the news cycle—and just as they started rolling, the Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump feud exploded. From the petty jabs to the wild accusations, Don and Jolly dive into it all with razor-sharp insight and plenty of laughs. It’s egos, grift, and grade-A drama served with a side of truth. Don’t miss this hilarious and unfiltered take on the stories dominating the headlines. This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/LEMONDROPS and use LEMONDROPS at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Juni 202537min