Don Lemon is over Hollywood’s radio silence during the string of demonstrations happening across the nation in response to the death of George Floyd, who was murdered by local law enforcement in Minneapolis one week ago.
On Saturday, while covering the situations in New York City and Los Angeles, the CNN anchor questioned why so few celebrities, many of whom live in the cities where these protests are happening, haven’t spoke out publicly.
“What about Hollywood?” Lemon asked, noting that Tinseltown has been “strangely quiet” in the days since fired police officer Derek Chauvin murdered Floyd on camera.
He continued, “I see them on Twitter saying, ‘oh, I’m loving what Don’s doing’ … but they got to do more than that. Especially Black celebrities and Black leaders — and white celebrities.”
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“Why aren’t they helping these young people? These young people are out there standing on the platform … the edge of the abyss by themselves.”
Lemon then told his celebrity friends to stop texting him personally and get out there and use their platforms to do something helpful.
“You’re sitting there and you’re watching TV and you’re bitching about it and you’re saying, ‘oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening. What’s going on?’” he said.
“Stop texting me and asking me, ‘oh my god, Don, what is happening to our country?’ Get on television and do something and help these young people instead of sitting in your mansions and doing nothing and have some moral courage and stop worrying about your reputation and your brand.”
Then he took it a step further and began naming names.
“By me calling out your name, it doesn’t mean I’m calling you out. It means I love you, Ellen. It means I love you, Oprah,” he said. “Beyoncé released a message, you can’t?”
Entertainment Weekly notes that Tessa Thompson, Ariana Grande, Timothee Chalamet, and other Hollywood celebrities also attended protests this week. And Insecure star Kendrick Sampson was shot with rubber bullets fired by police during a protest in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Lemon then called on his A-list celebrity friends to increase their “visibility in helping to speak out for these young kids. And you may be doing something that I don’t know about, and if you are then I apologize.”
Watch.
Related: Man whose apartment was set ablaze during Minneapolis riots speaks out: “I watched in horror”
Jared MacBride
“Celebrities” going on social media to express support aren’t going to fix the problem: which is unqualified, poorly trained and inadequately supervised police with a god complex. Until that changes there will be many more George Floyds.
Kieran
Out of control police is a problem that affects all of us. This shouldn’t be a racial issue. George Floyd was a victim. But so was Daniel Shaver. Don’t know who he is? I’m not surprised. Google him. Watch the heartbreaking video. It’s chilling. And the cop walked.
bivector
I’m not sure about the dichotomy you’re making here Kieran. As far as I know Black Lives Matter were the MOST active in publicizing the Daniel Shaver case and pushing for justice; that’s how I heard about it. I don’t know if you can post links here, but search “Black Lives Matter Supporters Call Attention to Graphic Video of Arizona Shooting.” I feel like everyone else only brings him up as a debate point, whereas BLM actually cared.
djmcgamester
Same celebrities who have on the TikTok accounts talking about how terrible the lockdown is from their luxurious mansions. What’s more in need from celebrities is to not just support the protestors but also help those who have lost their homes, businesses and places of employment.
LumpyPillows
I like Don, but I think he’s s bit too full of himself these days. We don’t need every celeb out there hitting us with self-serving statements.
ShiningSex
AT LEAST HE’S SAYING SOMETHING. TRUMP IS HIDING BECAUSE THE GRAND DRAGON IS SCARED. WHERE’S THE REVOLT AT HIM?
LumpyPillows
You’re comparing Trump to Oprah? No, just no.
alterego1980
ShiningSex, don’t you mean grand wizard??
CurtisIsTheOne
Oh, please SHUT UP you right wing Troll-Bot. I APPLAUD Don Lemon for bringing the cows home from pasture.
LumpyPillows
You need a nap, Curt. Very nasty person.
nm4047
Trump is waiting for the start of the new ‘working’ week when many of the protesters are back at work, then he’ll come out a do his stroll surrounded by 100 minders to show how strong and brave he is. Bit of luck he’ll be wearing the white hood that his father left him. Then he will be showing his true colours.
Kieran
And you know Donnie lives in a VERY secure high rise or gated community. It’s easy to fan the flames of violence and hate when you don’t live in THEIR neighborhood.
Tishthedish1
Well…. he needs to stick his finger under his balls and rub it around and get out there himself and put that smelly finger right under the face mask of every police officer whose life is in danger right now!
ptseti
DWRCL.. Thank you Don…They are SO DAMN Quiet. especially those who like to Suck Black D and now QUIET when the D is on the streets ..DWRCL
ShiningSex
WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE PROTESTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. THERE WERE SOME, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS OTHER CITIES. ALSO, WHERE’S THE MADNESS AT TRUMP’S BUSINESSES INCLUDING TRUMP TOWERS.
WHY NOT GO THERE?
Kieran
Why don’t they burn down the sh!thole you live in? That would be great karma.
Tishthedish1
Look shitty sex it’s not a protest anymore it’s a flat out full fledge criminal mentally deranged people riot!
Miles
Certain personalities are attracted to various vocations. The God complex you refer to is right on the money. And it has been going on for decades even in small town police forces. I used to live in Minneapolis years ago and the police were known to raid gay movie theaters, arrest people and then file embellished police reports. In plain clothes, they would go to cruising areas and restrooms and act interested in gay men then arrest them. If the men were married they would threaten to call their wives and out them and tell the wives the men arrested were spreading AIDS. Hopefully that has all changed but the dishonesty and manipulation has always left a bad taste in my mouth. I guess it was the Midwest after all.
Miles
PS. Thank God for cameras and cell phones……
jsmu
Ellen and Oprah? Has he lost his mind? Public posturing from filthy rich celebrities who are mostly famous for being famous, such as those two, does nothing but fuel the conflagration of utter bullshit stereotyping of ‘librul Hollywood actors.’ Ellen and Oprah have nothing useful to say at this point (if either of them EVER DID) while people like Alyssa Milano and Taylor Swift are actually DOING SOMETHING, or hasn’t he ever heard of either of them?
TheDefiler
He’s just telling Oprah & Ellen (et al) to stop texting him about it until they do something about it.
DuMaurier
I believe Ellen released a statement. If Oprah hasn’t I admit I’d be a bit surprised, but I don’t know if she has or hasn’t; I’m not really interested. I don’t think celebs have much to add that’s helpful here in terms of pious platitudes, but their money could be put to good use; for instance, it’s been reported Floyd Mayweather has offered to cover the cost of George Floyd’s funeral; others are paying to bail protesters out of jail. And there are a lot of good orgs devoted to issues of civil rights and combating police brutality. Maybe ask Colin Kaepernick where to send a check.
Australia Elijah
Watching from a distance in AUSTRALIA.
Don Lemon is right!!!!
HOLLYWOOD???? Your SILENCE is DEAFENING!!!!
[email protected]
Thanks Don!
Looks like Trumps not the only one hiding out in his bomb shelter……. thanks to Jane Fonda for coming out like she always has. Where are the rest of them???
Tishthedish1
He wasn’t in a bomb shelter today! He was in standing in front of a historic church that the rioters try to burn down!
Mister P
Dreamy Don Lemon is right.
MISTERJETT
yep, he IS a babe!!!!!
Tishthedish1
Dreamy? In what way? I don’t find him attractive or sexy at all! Girl you must be hard up & desperate! Plus I heard he’s kind of weird and perverted!
Mister P
Dreamy Don Lemon is right
leecee
Only thing is, Don forgot to call out the athletes who also would have a strong influence with the youth. In many cases, they carry more clout than the ‘Hollywood’ stars.
Tishthedish1
Well …. I am an athletic supporter!
missvamp
i’ve actually seen alot of celebrity support. stuff all over twitter, fb & many showing up at protests. musicians are especially coming out- green day, billie ellish, nick cannon, paris jackson, beyonce, rhcp, tom morello, ariana grande, gaga, harry styles even paid bail money for some protesters. halsey was hit with rubber pellets & shrapnel at a protest.
Gary Q VV
“Black lives matter!” It’s tragic to know that so many black people are still being murdered just because of their skin color; it boggles my mind. Don’t forget that most wealthy-piggy celebrities are too greedy to make a statement that might jeopardize their lovely, sweet-tasting money. Yes, it all boils down to money. Damn, what sorry excuses for human beings.
nm4047
‘Celebrities’ are not going to show any kind of support for this, as they are as afraid of the right wing media of the US and the potential affect any show of support would have on their income potential. I think Leecee is correct the sports ‘heroes’ are the only possible influence rs that the genuine protestors will respect, the rent a crowd mob couldn’t give a rats arsehole about any support, they are there purely for the anarchy and destruction of property etc.
graphicjack
Madonna has spoken out repeatedly and she’s gotten shit from both sides about it. Never mind that she’s been an ally and advocate for queers, women and people of colour for decades. I don’t think people need to hear from celebrities… no one cares how well meaning wealthy people are when there is 40M unemployed, a pandemic is disproportionately affecting the poor, who are frequently POC and yet another clear murder of an unarmed black man by a white cop is caught on video and already the system is trying to cover up the murder. Peaceful protestors and journalists are getting arrested faster than the racist cop who set off the powder keg. What is a celebrity going to say outside of, here, take my money and use this for defense funds for those arrested or to feed homeless, unemployed people. No one wants to get an encouraging tweet from Oprah. It’s a little late for that. Have you not been paying attention, Don?
Tishthedish1
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the poor because this group doesn’t seem to care about taking any precautions against the virus as in wearing mask and gloves therefore that’s why a lot of these people got infected and also having house parties and sharing blunts?
Gary Q VV
@graphicjack you are generally correct in your assessments. Thanks! But, I still contend that the celebrities who voice their oppositions about gross injustices of racist murders by police and others, can generate the power of unity and strong support for those with whom they are in agreement. Look at the moron-MAGA-Hatters, they’re willing to support the creepy GOP and “president” Trump. So, “We The real-People” need all of the help that we can mustar as a group.
Onecaddy13
I used to really like Don Lemon. Now I think he’s a hypocritical & judgemental horses ass!!
jackscott
As a “journalist”, shouldn’t he stay neutral or at least focus on politicians, that can actually make change? The focus of actors/musicians/athletes etc., just feeds the perception that their voices mean more than everyday people.
I’ve never been a fan of Don and I’m still not!
Wicked Dickie
Where are right country music folks? Where’s Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, heck, even The Dixie Chicks? Hell, where’s Billy Ray Cyrus?
Jared MacBride
Not sure what you’re getting at. The most famous country music star of all, Willie Nelson, has been very vocal about these concerns for a long time.
batesmotel
I can’t stand those people whining about who isn’t speaking out or saying anything. People know what’s going on including those that don’t even watch media. Them saying anything or posting a silly meme that just says, “I stand with you” is cheesy. And if you’re that obsessed about policing which public figures are saying or not saying something, then you need to get a life. That’s pretty pathetic that you’re relying on celebrities as if they’re God.
rocknstan
All voters matter, and all votes matter.
End the madness with your mail-in vote for Democracy.