Don Lemon Loses It on GOP Politician Over Trump Coronavirus Speech

Don Lemon exchange on CNN (Credit: CNN)

The conversation got heated on CNN Wednesday night when former Ohio Governor and 2016 GOP presidential candidate John Kasich defended President Trump’s Oval Office address on the coronavirus outbreak, saying it was “fine.”

Shortly before the interview, Trump announced a 30-day ban on people traveling from Europe to the U.S. to slow the spread of COVID-19. The rules go into effect Friday at midnight but will not apply to the United Kingdom.

Trump’s announcement immediately caused confusion, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to clarify that not all travel from Europe would be suspended. The department said the ban “suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the U.S.” The statement went on to say the ban does not apply to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Related StoryTom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson and NBA Player Test Positive for Coronavirus

On CNN, Lemon noted that the president sent “mixed messages” in his speech. Kasich, who’s now a CNN political commentator, defended Trump.

“I watched the address tonight, and I thought it was fine. I thought he did fine. What I saw tonight was what I anticipated before he delivered the address,” Kasich said on CNN Tonight with Don Lemon.

Several people posted the video on social media.

Kasich noted that Trump was probably told, “‘You’ve got to be serious, you’ve got to warn the country, we have to move forward. Just stick to the script and read what’s on there.’ And that’s exactly what he did.”

Lemon quickly shut him down. “I just got to say, if the president came out to calm people’s fears, he didn’t do a good job of it because they’ve had to come back and clarify it several times,” said Lemon. “This has been going on long enough for them to get it straight. We need straight, accurate information from this president and from this administration, and we’re not getting it.”

The CNN anchor accused Kasich of “tip-toeing around” the fact that the speech was flawed.

“First of all, he read it,” Kasich said about the speech. “And somebody that wrote, look I don’t want to get into that…”

Lemon interrupted, “Why not? That’s why you’re here, to talk about the president’s address.”

“Can I finish now? Let me talk,” Kasich shouted back. Lemon told him he could not finish. “Oh I can’t talk?” Kasich said.

The two continued to yell over each other as the conversation grew more intense. “I don’t want you to deflect,” Lemon said.

“What is it in the clarification you thought was so terrible?” Kasich asked.

Lemon responded, “We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and every time the president comes out, he gives us inaccurate information. So I don’t understand why he would even come out and do it at all if he is going to confuse the American people even more.”


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