Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is under intense scrutiny following a controversial remark about Megyn Kelly’s appearance.
During a segment on his podcast, “Clip Farmers,” the 59-year-old Lemon, along with his co-hosts, were discussing the visual traits of ‘MAGA women’ when he made an incendiary comment about Kelly. He described her as ‘looking trans’ and ‘chopped,’ a derogatory slang term implying unattractiveness.
Lemon further criticized Kelly by saying she ‘looks clockable,’ suggesting she is easily identifiable as transgender. This remark implies that she does not convincingly present as a woman.
Continuing his critique, Lemon disparaged Kelly’s physique, labeling her ‘too skinny’ and also took aim at her appearance, noting her use of ‘a lot of hair pieces and makeup.’
The uncomfortable segment was abruptly concluded by his co-hosts, with one awkwardly suggesting, “Let’s end on that note.” The exchange quickly captured widespread attention, amassing millions of views across social media platforms.
Backlash was swift, with critics denouncing Lemon for what they see as a hypocritical stance, especially given his history of advocating against transphobia and for LGBTQ rights.
Don Lemon is facing fierce backlash after making a shocking comment about Megyn Kelly ‘s appearance
‘For a man who praises trans people, #DonLemon sure feels comfortable using ‘trans’ as an insult,’ one user wrote on X.
‘The Left is using ‘trans’ as an insult now?’ asked another, while a third added, ‘Hypocrisy at its finest. When it’s convenient, principles fly out the window.’
Others asked: ‘What happened to supporting trans?’
Despite his remark, Lemon has long presented himself as a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights.
The openly gay journalist, who came out publicly in 2011, delivered an impassioned speech at the 2023 Son Awards, where he condemned what he called a wave of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation being introduced across the US.
‘Nearly half of those bills target our transgender and nonbinary siblings,’ Lemon said at the time.
He took aim at the banning of books that promoted gay marriage and other LGBT issues by Republican lawmakers.
‘These book bans are rooted in anti-Blackness and transphobia and queerphobia,’ said Lemon.
He also defended transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney during the Bud Light boycott controversy, asking live on CNN, ‘So what if someone who is transgender drinks Bud Light? How does that affect you?’
Now, the same man once praised for championing inclusivity is being accused of undermining his own message.
While appearing on the Clip Farmers podcast, the former CNN anchor, 59, outrageously told listeners that the conservative commentator ‘looks trans’
The controversy comes just over a year after Lemon’s dramatic exit from CNN, where he was fired in 2023 following multiple allegations of misogynistic behavior and on-air clashes with female colleagues.
Neither Lemon nor Kelly has publicly commented on his latest remarks.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Kelly’s representatives.
Earlier this month, Lemon took another swipe at Kelly as he told her to ‘get the f**k out of here’ for her comments about his husband Tim Malone.
In September, Kelly had criticized the former CNN host for blaming recent political violence on white men as she had pointed out that his own spouse is white.
After her statement, he doubled down on his claim as he insisted: ‘The greatest threat of political violence in America today is white men radicalized to the right.’
During a discussion about ‘MAGA ladies,’ the journalist stunned his co-hosts by declaring she appears ‘clockable,’ a slang term used to describe when a transgender person is perceived as not ‘passing’ for their gender identity.
Critics swiftly condemned Lemon for what many called a hypocritical jab as they pointed out he has repeatedly spoken out against transphobia
Lemon also brought up how Kelly was fired from NBC in 2019 for comments about blackface.
She went on to start her own media company and is now a fierce critic of legacy news.
Her show ranks consistently as one of the top three-rated news commentary podcasts in the country.
Lemon’s Don Lemon Show, meanwhile, has been met with popularity since its rollout last year as well.
Earlier this month, Lemon took another swipe at Kelly as he told her to ‘get the f**k out of here’ for her comments about his husband Tim Malone; seen in October 2025
He was fired from CNN in early 2023 weeks after making a controversial remark about then GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, then aged 51.
He told co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins: ‘Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.’
‘Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing? Or are you talking about prime for being president?’ Harlow, 40, pushed back – leading Lemon to respond: ‘Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just saying what the facts are.’
He doubled-down: ‘Google it. Everybody at home, when is a woman in her prime? It says 20s, 30s and 40s.’
Lemon, 59, tied the knot with husband Malone, 40, a few months later at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City.
Kelly and Brunt wed in 2008.
