CNN host Don Lemon slammed his network for blocking out the teenagers’ faces who seemingly flashed a Nazi salute in their prom picture.
Lemon joined his colleague Chris Cuomo on Monday night to discuss the viral photo of Baraboo High School students in Washington striking a Nazi salute. The teens claimed they were instructed to hit a Nazi salute after their prom photographer allegedly told them to do so. However, school officials said they’re launching an investigation into the incident after receiving major backlash.
(photo credit: CNN Screenshot/ L; Chris Cuomo and R; Don Lemon)
CNN opted to not show the teens’ faces live on air and Lemon was confused as to why the network burred the students’ faces out during the broadcast. Cuomo interjected to remind Lemon the boys were minors, but Lemon nonchalantly replied to his colleague, “They put it on social media for everyone to see.”
The CNN host added, “They’re old enough and bold enough to do a Nazi salute symbol and to say the things that I’ve heard.”
Lemon offered no remorse for the teens’ offensive actions and said, “they should know better when it comes to these matters.” The host suggested that the group of students learned bigoted behavior either from their parents or those “in close proximity.”
“I know how I feel about what they did,” Lemon said. “I’m just waiting for the excuse, and for people to start saying ‘oh, you are ruining all these kids’ lives.’ Well, they did it to themselves.”
Lemon has often been criticized for his bold remarks of President Trump by conservatives and right-wing supporters. Arkansas officials recently arrested Benjamin Craig Matthews who made several death threats to the CNN host and asked operators to help him kill Lemon. The man was arrested in November and charged with several felony counts of making terrorist threats.
Watch Lemon challenge his network:
