Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, let loose on his YouTube channel following a rare display of camaraderie between former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump.

As reported by The Daily Mail, Lemon’s heated reaction centered around what he saw as an alarming normalization of behavior between political opponents, calling it a dangerous precedent for democracy.

Jan 9, 2025; Washington DC, USA; Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump speak ahead of the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on January 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Mandatory Credit:-Ricky Cariot-Pool via Imagn Images

The moment that set Lemon off occurred at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where Obama and Trump were seen laughing and chatting while a notably stoic Vice President Kamala Harris sat nearby. Lemon described Obama’s interaction with Trump as “not normal,” insisting it sent the wrong message during a critical time.

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“You have to indicate to the American people that this is not normal,” Lemon said, referencing Obama’s behavior. “Grinning with someone that you have called a fascist over the last couple of years and the last months. That’s not normal.”

Apr 30, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; CNN broadcaster Don Lemon arrives at the White House Correspondents Association annual dinner at the Washington Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Lemon’s frustration deepened as he highlighted the history of personal attacks on Michelle Obama, perpetuated by Trump supporters. “Barack Obama is a classy guy,” he acknowledged, before expressing his outrage.

“But these are the same MAGA people who called, and Donald Trump promoted, calling Michelle Obama a man. I’m not smiling in your face if you’re calling my sister, my mother, or my wife a man. F**k you!”

Lemon didn’t stop there. He extended his criticism to MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who recently visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago and spoke about the need for civility. Lemon viewed these actions as part of a broader pattern of capitulation to dangerous ideologies.

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Quoting Susan Glasser of The New Yorker, Lemon drew parallels to authoritarian tendencies, comparing the normalization of such civility to the early years of Vladimir Putin’s reign in Russia.

“They’re trying to make people civil, right? And they’re having these fights over civility while the whole structural fabric and nature of the society was deteriorating,” he said.

Lemon’s message was clear: tolerance doesn’t mean sacrificing principles. “Civility does not mean befriending people or forgoing your morals and principles,” he asserted. “If someone disrespects my loved one, I don’t have to smile in their f**king face. And they’re going to know it.”

His outrage didn’t stop with Obama and Scarborough. Lemon also blasted figures like Ted Cruz, recalling Trump’s infamous insult toward Cruz’s wife during the 2016 election. “If Ted Cruz can’t stand up for his wife after Trump calls her ugly, then who is he going to stand up for?”

Lemon concluded by warning that gestures of civility could pave the way for dangerous ideologies to take root. “If they’re going to acquiesce publicly, what does that mean for the fabric of our society?”

Lemon’s fiery commentary left no room for misinterpretation. “Maybe this is some master chess move,” he said. “But I’m not buying it. And if it’s not, shame on them for normalizing this behavior.”