When he's not needling President Donald Trump on CNN, Don Lemon is busy breaking in the two mini-poodles he recently adopted from a rescue shelter.
He's also making time to visit the Twin Cities to give two speeches in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day. "We are thrilled to have Mr. Lemon share his experiences of how Dr. King guided him as a journalist," said Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, which is featuring the broadcaster at a fundraising breakfast Monday at the Armory in Minneapolis.
Lemon, a polarizing figure who doesn't shy away from his disdain for the current president, is also expected to talk about his scramble to the top and the challenges he faced as a black gay man in TV news at an event Sunday at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul.
As he prepared last week for his prime-time program, "CNN Tonight," which has risen 25 percent in the ratings in the past year, the Louisiana-born anchor took a few minutes to address the on-air fights he referees, how he and colleague Chris Cuomo spend their free time together and just how intoxicated he gets while covering New Year's Eve.
Q: How relevant is King's message today? Do you think it still resonates?
A: Listen, I don't think he'll ever be forgotten, but there are moments in our history when he's more thought of, when he's more needed. Like now.
Q: What do you think the reverend would think of the current state of the country?
A: He was a realist. He would think progress has been made, but look at Charlottesville. I don't think he'd be surprised by that. If he were around today, he'd be fighting for immigration and for those who face hardship in this country. He wouldn't be afraid. He'd be trying to sit down with the powers that be.