Don Lemon Claims Women Sexually Harassed Him At CNN

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon recently made claims about experiencing sexual harassment from women during his 17-year tenure at the network. In an appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast, Club Random, on March 16, 2025, Lemon discussed multiple instances of alleged harassment, shedding light on what he described as a "dark part of his past" while exploring gender and power dynamics.

One specific incident Lemon recounted occurred in a CNN cafeteria in Atlanta, where he alleged a female colleague "tweaked" his nipples and made a comment, saying, “Oh, it’s cold in here!” Lemon stated that he refrained from reporting this to human resources, noting a perceived double standard: “If I did that, they’d be walking me out the door right now.” He explained his reluctance to escalate the matter by saying he "didn’t care to go to HR" and chose not to speak out due to the potential repercussions.

"She tweaked my n*pples."

Don Lemon says he was harassed by a female while working at CNN as he details instances where he was harassed by men and women throughout his life.

(🎥 Club Random Podcast/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/1y4I2wnUNB

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) March 16, 2025

Lemon also alluded to another unreported incident involving a female superior at CNN, who he claimed sexually harassed him off company property. He suggested this woman, aware of his sexual orientation as a gay man, pressured him to stay at her home after a business event in Atlanta. 

According to Lemon, she insisted he stay in her guest room rather than leave, and he described her behavior toward him afterward as “so mean.” He rationalized not reporting this incident by expressing fear that, given her stature at the company, management might not believe him or could use it as a pretext to terminate him. Lemon did not name the individuals involved in either case.

During the podcast, Lemon framed these experiences within a broader discussion about gender dynamics, asserting that as a man, he felt able to say "no" in these situations—a luxury he believes women may not always have when the roles are reversed. These claims mark the first time Lemon has publicly accused unnamed female colleagues at CNN of sexual harassment, contrasting with his prior public persona as an advocate for the #MeToo movement during his time at the network.