Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is facing heavy criticism after a recent remark about conservative commentator Megyn Kelly. During an episode of his “Clip Farmers” podcast, Lemon said that Kelly “looks trans” and described her as “clockable.”
The comments quickly spread online, sparking backlash from across the political spectrum. Many critics noted that Lemon, who has publicly supported LGBTQ rights and spoken out against transphobia, appeared to use “trans” as a way to mock or insult Kelly. The remark has been widely viewed as inconsistent with his past advocacy for inclusion.
Kelly, for her part, has her own history of public controversies, including remarks about gender-affirming care and earlier defenses of blackface costumes. While many disagree with her political positions, LGBTQ advocates emphasized that using trans identity as a form of ridicule is unacceptable regardless of who the target is.
Advocacy groups and community leaders stressed that this type of language reinforces the idea that being transgender is something undesirable or worthy of mockery. Even if Lemon’s intent was to criticize Kelly’s behavior or persona, invoking trans identity to do so harms transgender people and perpetuates bias. They noted that being an ally means more than simply supporting equal rights. It also requires paying attention to how words can either affirm or demean others.
As of now, Lemon has not issued a public apology or clarification regarding the comment. The controversy has reignited discussions about accountability among high-profile media figures who identify as allies but sometimes fall short in their language or actions.
Ultimately, this incident highlights that public criticism should focus on words and conduct rather than identity. Kelly’s views and statements can be challenged without resorting to remarks that equate being trans with something negative. For genuine allies, supporting transgender people means understanding that language carries power, and careless words can reinforce stigma rather than dismantle it.
In the end, Lemon’s comment did more than spark outrage; it served as a reminder that progress requires consistency. Respect and inclusion are not measured only by public statements or causes one supports but by the everyday language used to describe others. Being transgender is not an insult, and treating it as one undermines the very equality that allies claim to stand for.
