Don Lemon Criticizes Calls for Civility Toward President-Elect Trump

The former CNN host condemned Barack Obama and MSNBC's Morning Joe hosts for their perceived normalization of Trump through friendly interactions.

Don Lemon criticized Barack Obama for engaging in a friendly exchange with Donald Trump during Jimmy Carter's funeral, citing past racist attacks by Trump, including the birtherism conspiracy.
Lemon expressed frustration with MSNBC's Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for advocating civility toward Trump, despite their prior harsh criticisms of him as a threat to democracy.
The former CNN host argued that civility does not require sacrificing principles or appearing to legitimize individuals who have promoted harmful rhetoric.
Scarborough and Brzezinski defended their decision to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, describing it as an effort to establish communication, though they faced backlash from viewers and commentators.
Lemon's comments reflect broader tensions within the Democratic Party and media over how to approach Trump as he prepares to return to the presidency.