The Don Lemon Show

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EXCLUSIVE: First Black Woman Governor!? With Keisha Lance Bottoms May 20, 2026

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Tonight, we break down the growing fallout from Donald Trump's leadership, from rising economic anxiety to escalating global tensions and mounting questions about corruption and accountability. Gas prices are climbing, recession fears are spreading, and critics are sounding alarms over the massive $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded pool that could potentially benefit Trump allies and political loyalists. Add in the ongoing chaos surrounding Iran policy, and a lot of people are asking the same question: how much more instability can the country take? And then there's Trump himself. After another round of rambling public remarks today, concerns about his behavior and mental sharpness are once again dominating conversation online and across the political world. We are joined by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Keisha Lance Bottoms! This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemon This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial 212-931-0855 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/don DISCLAIMER: Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Average potential savings are based on realized premium, co-pay, and out of pocket savings estimates self-reported by consumers that worked with Chapter Advisory LLC to enroll in a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and/or Part D Prescription Drug Plan. The average is limited to consumers that chose to self-report. Savings information is subject to periodic updates and corrections. There is no guarantee of savings and any savings may vary by policy type, state, or other factors.

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The Economy is in Shambles & Americans are Pissed Off! May 20, 2026

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Don sits down with Democratic strategist and friend of the show Mike Nellis to break down the latest primary results, the fallout from Thomas Massie's loss, and what it all says about the current state of American politics. As Donald Trump tightens his grip on the Republican Party, it is becoming clear that loyalty now matters more than principle, policy, or even basic decency. The political bar feels like it's somewhere beneath the floorboards, and a growing number of Americans seem exhausted by the chaos, division, and nonstop outrage. Where does the country go from here, and what does a path forward actually look like?

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Massie Is Out… But Trump May Have a Problem May 20, 2026

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This morning, we break down the latest primary election results and what they reveal about Donald Trump's tightening grip on the Republican Party. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican who frequently aligned with Trump but broke with him on key issues, including calls for more transparency around the Epstein files, has now lost his primary. Combined with Senator Bill Cassidy losing his own race earlier, many see it as yet another sign that there's little room left in today's GOP for dissent. But here's the twist: Massie and Cassidy still have time left in office, and now, with no reelection campaigns ahead of them, they arguably have far less political pressure holding them back. Could that create new problems for Trump? Could lawmakers with nothing left to lose become more willing to speak out, investigate, or push back? The power struggle inside the Republican Party is intensifying, and Trump's efforts to consolidate control may come with consequences he didn't expect. We are joined by National political reporter at The Bulwark, Joe Perticone. This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemon This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com

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Donald Trump's $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Scandal Explodes! May 19, 2026

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Tonight, we dive into the growing outrage surrounding reports of a massive $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded pool that could be used to reward Donald Trump's political allies and inner circle. Now, reports are surfacing that some of that money could potentially be directed toward January 6 defendants and insurrectionists, raising major questions about accountability, political favoritism, and the use of taxpayer dollars. At the same time, new scrutiny is falling on the IRS after reports that claims and investigations involving Trump and his family are being slowed or blocked. The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore: one set of rules for the powerful, another for everyone else. Don is joined by Tom Nichols of The Atlantic and former DOJ Pardon Attorney and Federal Public Defender Liz Oyer to break it all down. This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is brought to you by RadioActive Media. Visit RadioActiveMedia.com, or text the word, "PODCAST" to 511511. Start planning for 2026 now to get the lowest rates in Podcast and Radio. RadioActive Media can surpass your current strategies with new and innovative ways that "SOUND" better. Message and Data Rates May Apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemon

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Donald Trump Is Giving Your Money to Criminals! May 19, 2026

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Don chats with Representative Dan Goldman for a powerful conversation aboard the ferry to Ellis Island, a fitting backdrop for a discussion about immigration, identity, and what America stands for. Together, they dive into the current state of immigration policy, the role of ICE, and the growing debate around how migrants and asylum seekers are being treated in the United States today. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Trump's $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded pool that could benefit political allies and loyalists, and what it says about the administration's priorities. Against the backdrop of one of the most important symbols of immigration in American history, Don and Congressman Goldman reflect on who gets welcomed into America, who gets targeted, and what kind of country we want to be moving forward.

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Trump's $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Looks a Lot Like MAGA Reparations! May 19, 2026

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This morning, we break down the massive $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded pool that critics say could be used to benefit Donald Trump's allies, inner circle, and political loyalists. Now, reports are surfacing that some of that money could potentially go toward payments tied to January 6 defendants and insurrectionists, raising outrage and reigniting debates about accountability, political favoritism, and who government resources are really serving. At the same time, it's impossible to ignore the deep contradiction at the center of this debate: for decades, the federal government has argued that reparations for communities harmed by systemic racism and discrimination were unrealistic or impossible. Yet now, critics say taxpayer money may be flowing toward people tied to an attack on democracy itself. Don is joined by former Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone, attorney Monique Pressley, and strategist and host of The Warning with Steve Schmidt, Steve Schmidt, to break it all down. This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is brought to you by RadioActive Media. Visit RadioActiveMedia.com, or text the word, "PODCAST" to 511511. Start planning for 2026 now to get the lowest rates in Podcast and Radio. RadioActive Media can surpass your current strategies with new and innovative ways that "SOUND" better. Message and Data Rates May Apply. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemonNMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 888-675-4090 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/Lemon. Average savings based on borrowers who save over $199.99

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Trump Drops IRS Lawsuit in Exchange For $1.7 Billion Fund for His Allies! May 18, 2026

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Tonight, we dive into the growing controversy surrounding reports of a massive $1.7 billion pool of taxpayer money that can reportedly be used to benefit Donald Trump's political allies and inner circle. Where is this money going, who's benefiting from it, and why are so many people calling it a political slush fund? At a time when Americans are struggling with rising costs, economic anxiety, and fears of a recession, the optics of billions tied to political loyalty and insider influence are raising serious questions. Don is joined by political commentator and host of The David Pakman Show, David Pakman, to break down the reporting, the backlash, and what it could mean moving forward. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemon This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is brought to you by RadioActive Media. Visit RadioActiveMedia.com, or text the word, "PODCAST" to 511511. Start planning for 2026 now to get the lowest rates in Podcast and Radio. RadioActive Media can surpass your current strategies with new and innovative ways that "SOUND" better. Message and Data Rates May Apply.

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Trump & MAGA's Growing Push for Christian Nationalism May 18, 2026

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This weekend's "Rededicate 250" prayer event was framed by supporters as a patriotic and spiritual gathering celebrating America's founding values. But events like this are part of a broader push to blur the line between church and state and reshape American politics around a specific religious identity. Don breaks down the messaging coming from the event, the political symbolism behind it, and why so many Americans are divided over what this movement means for democracy, religious freedom, and the future direction of the country.

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Donald Trump Panics As Poll Numbers Plummet! May 18, 2026

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This morning, we've got a lot to unpack. Donald Trump's polling numbers are sliding, his weekend prayer event reportedly drew far less enthusiasm than expected, and the political pressure around him appears to be growing. At the same time, Trump and his allies are doubling down on efforts to tighten control within the GOP, with more resources now reportedly being directed toward challenging Republicans seen as insufficiently loyal. But while political battles rage in Washington, thousands of people gathered alongside lawmakers in Alabama this weekend to protest attacks on voting rights and what activists describe as ongoing efforts to weaken representation and political power in Black communities. This morning, we are joined by White House correspondent for The Bulwark Andrew Egger. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/donlemon This episode is brought to you by Lean. Lean is having a Huge Memorial Day Sale and Lean is 25% off!! Visit https://TAKELEAN.com and enter THANK YOU 25 for 25% OFF. That's promo code THANK YOU 25 at https://TAKELEAN.com This episode is sponsored by SelectQuote. Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/lemon TODAY to get started. This episode is brought to you by RadioActive Media. Visit RadioActiveMedia.com, or text the word, "PODCAST" to 511511. Start planning for 2026 now to get the lowest rates in Podcast and Radio. RadioActive Media can surpass your current strategies with new and innovative ways that "SOUND" better. Message and Data Rates May Apply.

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Trump's China Trip, Voting Rights Battles & the Kevin Hart Roast May 17, 2026

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Another chaotic week is behind us, and today we look back at the stories that shaped it, and ahead to what could come next. Donald Trump traveled to China to meet with Xi Jinping, but despite all the headlines and hype, many Americans are still wondering what actually came out of the trip. Back home, the redistricting battles continue to escalate, with republicans passing multiple congressional maps that will weaken Black political representation. At the same time, a growing movement is asking whether athlete activism could become a real force in the fight back. If top athletes refuse to play for schools in states pushing controversial maps, could it actually create pressure for change? And then there was the roast of Kevin Hart, a night that sparked major backlash and reignited debates about comedy, race, sexism, and where the line is when it comes to entertainment.

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