Don Lemon Criticizes Ellen, Kevin Hart: He Never Really Apologized

The CNN anchor said DeGeneres does not speak for the community at large, and that Hart has not shown he's an ally.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

January 05 2019 1:37 PM EST

May 31 2023 7:51 PM EST

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Don Lemon used the Friday episode of his CNN show to weigh in on Ellen DeGeneres declaring she's forgiven Kevin Hart for his past homophobic tweets.

On her eponymous talk show, DeGeneres recently allowed Hart to respond to the antigay controversy. Hart portrayed himself as a victim for old tweets and jokes of his resurfacing, some of which called for violence against gender-nonconforming children; his past behavior and refusal to apologize for it evenutally led to him stepping down as host of the 2019 Academy Awards. DeGeneres was placated by the dodgy interview and later tweeted she's forgiven Hart and said he should be given the job as Oscar host.

Like many, Lemon is not satisfied with Hart's handling of the scandal -- or DeGeneres acting as if she's the decider on who is forgiven and who's not. Lemon acknowledged Hart apologized after he stepped down as Oscar host, but reminded viewers that he previously refused to apologize and never in the many years that have transpired since the 2009 and 2010 jokes and tweets offered a substantial denunciation of the homophobia.

"I don't see any meaningful outreach to the LGBT community," Lemon said of Hart. "Apologizing and moving on does not make the world a better place for people who are gay or who are transgender. Being an ally does."