Don Lemon Faces Backlash After Suggesting Megyn Kelly Is ‘Trans’

Once considered one of the most visible faces in cable news, former CNN anchor Don Lemon has struggled to remain relevant since his departure from the network. After nearly twenty years at CNN, Lemon attempted to reinvent himself with a self-branded independent show. The effort has largely failed to gain traction — and now, his latest controversy is drawing widespread backlash.

During an appearance on the podcast Clip Farmers, Lemon was asked about several prominent women in conservative media, including Megyn Kelly. Instead of engaging her on ideas or policy, Lemon resorted to a personal attack.

“I think she looks trans,” Lemon said, adding, “Looks clockable.”

The term “clockable” is widely recognized in transgender circles as a derogatory phrase suggesting someone cannot “pass” as the gender they identify with. Lemon’s remarks quickly drew criticism as observers pointed to his long public record of lecturing others on what he has called “homophobia” and “transphobia.”

After the 2016 Pulse Nightclub attack, Lemon suggested “homophobia” was central to the tragedy. In 2019, he condemned comedian Kevin Hart over resurfaced jokes, declaring that, “Someone like Kevin Hart, with one of the biggest megaphones in the entire world, he can be a leader … he can help change homophobia in the Black community.”

“That was a joke to Kevin,” Lemon continued at the time. “The truth is, that is a reality for many little boys in the United States … somewhere a Black dad is beating his Black son.”

Just two years ago, Lemon scolded states that removed sexually explicit LGBTQ materials from public schools, claiming such actions were “rooted in anti-Blackness and transphobia and queerphobia.” Yet in this latest exchange, Lemon used “trans” explicitly as an insult — and aimed it at a woman who has challenged left-wing narratives on gender.

The double standard is familiar. Figures on the Left have repeatedly used sexuality or gender identity as political ammunition, particularly against conservatives. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has long been targeted with insinuations about his sexual orientation. Actress Patti LuPone once told Graham to “bite the bullet and come out as gay.” Rosie O’Donnell called him a “closeted idiot.” Former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney said, “I’m not going to out anybody, but I think people can draw their own conclusions.”

This latest episode proves the point critics have made for years: progressive activists routinely accuse others of bigotry while freely engaging in the very same behavior when it is aimed at ideological opponents.

Fitness expert Jillian Michaels called Lemon “the ultimate hypocrite.” British broadcaster Piers Morgan voiced similar disbelief:

“What I was struck by … was there’s Don Lemon, you know, the great standard bearer for the Black gay community, seemingly using ‘trans’ as a derogatory way to describe somebody. I’m shocked,” Morgan said.

Michaels responded plainly: “He’s the ultimate hypocrite. I am not a Don Lemon fan.” She added, “You’ve got a Democratic candidate that’s got a Nazi tattoo … it should be unilaterally condemned. Identity politics is gross, period.”

Author J.K. Rowling summarized the moment succinctly in a previous observation: “They tell on themselves constantly.”

“They are the bigoted ones,” she wrote.

The controversy underscores what many conservatives have long argued — identity politics is not about tolerance. It is about power. And those who weaponize it are rarely held to their own standard.