President Donald Trump called independent journalist Don Lemon a “sleazebag” and a failure just days after Lemon was arrested on federal charges. Trump made these comments while speaking with reporters on Air Force One.
Federal authorities arrested Lemon on Thursday evening on civil rights charges. The charges are related to his coverage of a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18. The accusations include conspiracy and blocking the First Amendment rights of people worshiping at the church.
While talking to reporters, Trump said he didn’t know about Lemon’s arrest ahead of time. “I didn’t know anything about the Don Lemon thing,” Trump said, before calling Lemon a “sleazebag,” according to HuffPost. He denied knowing about the arrest but still shared strong opinions about the journalist’s career.
Trump’s comments raise concerns about press freedom
Trump claimed the arrest was “the best thing that could happen to him” in his journalism career. “He had no viewers. He was a failure; he was a failed host. And now, he’s in the news. I didn’t know anything about it,” Trump said.
Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, pushed back hard against the charges in a statement on Instagram. He accused the Trump administration of “wrongdoing” and said the Justice Department is wasting resources on this case. “Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” Lowell said.
Lowell called the arrest an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment” and a clear attempt to distract from the “many crises facing this administration.” He said this effort “will not stand.” The incident has drawn comparisons to other controversial actions, including Trump’s recent national emergency declaration.
Minutes after his release, Lemon promised to continue his reporting. “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon said. “There is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”
Another reporter, Georgia Fort, who also covered the January 18 protest at Cities Church, said she was arrested early Friday. For more details on what happened during the church protest, the incident involved anti-ICE protesters and led to federal charges. Media groups called both arrests “extremely alarming” and an “attack on the first amendment.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed Lemon was “released on his own recognizance.” His next court date is scheduled for February 9 in Minneapolis.
Published: Feb 2, 2026 02:15 pm