Gun Rights

Don Lemon Gun Hypocrisy: Arm Against Feds Now?

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2025

Satirical 2025 image of Don Lemon gun hypocrisy: Former CNN host in bed with nightcap, holding ice cube water pistol as absurd symbol of arming Black communities against ICE raids and Second Amendment flip-flop.

The case of Don Lemon’s gun hypocrisy provides a striking example of changing positions. The former CNN anchor once advocated for a system where only government officials would have access to firearms. Now, however, he is encouraging Black and Brown communities to obtain legal guns specifically to confront potential threats from ICE agents at their doors. Is this a genuine change of heart, or simply a reaction to current political pressures? @donlemon, many observers are eager for a detailed explanation.

@DonLemon, remember when you thought it would be great if only the government had guns? Back in December 2012, live from Sandy Hook’s heartbreak in Newtown, you didn’t hold back: “We need to get guns and bullets and automatic weapons off the streets. They should only be available to police officers and to hunt Osama bin Laden and the Taliban, not elementary school children.” [Source] Bold take, Don—civilians need not apply.

That perspective continued throughout your time at CNN. During a 2014 debate amid the unrest in Ferguson, you highlighted your own purchase of an AR-15 rifle to argue that access to firearms was too easy. However, you made a significant error by stating: “Most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.” PolitiFact rated this claim as false, explaining that the AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle, not a fully automatic one. In 2018, after the Parkland shooting, you described gun violence as a national “sickness” driven by easy access to weapons. [Monologue] And in 2021, following the shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, you argued that the Second Amendment does not require Americans to endure “a lifetime of mass carnage.” [Plea] The consistent message was clear: Firearms should be reserved primarily for government use, not for ordinary citizens.

But now, you seem to want Black and Brown people to arm themselves to what? Shoot federal agents?! On a recent podcast with Wajahat Ali, amid Trump’s immigration crackdown, you flipped: “Get a license to carry legally because when you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?” And: “Here’s what I’m saying to Black and Brown people… Go [buy a gun legally and have a license to carry legally]. Why not?” [NY Post Exclusive] You’re even nodding to ICE detaining citizens, saying arming up might “knock some sense” into the deniers. Self-defense against the state? Now that’s a 2A remix we can appreciate—but where was this energy pre-podcast?

Don Lemon Gun Hypocrisy: The 2025 Backlash

Conservative commentators have reacted strongly to this change. Megyn Kelly criticized it as spreading misinformation about ICE operations, which has led to widespread criticism from that side of the political spectrum. [Newsweek Fury] Among progressives, opinions are divided: Some outlets praise the focus on equity in gun rights, while others question if the timing is convenient. [The Root] In a country with over 400 million guns and inconsistent enforcement of laws, this shift highlights a key tension: Firearms are often portrayed as dangerous in general discussions but seen as necessary tools for protection in specific community contexts.

From Flip to Future: What Comes Next?

Don Lemon’s career trajectory offers a clear lesson in how public figures’ views on guns can evolve over time. His earlier mistakes contributed to broader fears about firearm ownership, but his current advice could promote more equitable access to self-defense options—provided he addresses the inconsistencies openly. @donlemon, the transition from supporting guns only for police in 2012 to advocating for armed resistance against federal actions in 2025 is noteworthy, though it raises questions about consistency. Was the Second Amendment always about protection from government overreach, applied selectively? Or has experience led to a clearer understanding? In the ongoing national debate over guns, a voice like yours has the potential to foster dialogue—or to deepen divisions. The choice is yours.

Hypocrisy or a turning point? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Maybe Masad can help you a bit? Grassroots Gun Rights Godfather Massad Ayoob: How To Sway an Anti-Gunner