Even Don Lemon Knows DEI Is Out Of Control

It is a telling sign when even a leftist shill like former CNN host Don Lemon recognizes that woke politics is spinning out of control. He surprisingly acknowledged this reality on the latest episode of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher.”

The discussion centered on the recent controversy at NPR in which a veteran editor blasted the outlet for its blatant liberal bias. That long-time journalist, Uri Berliner, ultimately resigned after being suspended without pay.

Maher, who is a leftist but a staunch critic of woke extremism, asked Lemon about the NPR fiasco. That’s when the controversial dogma of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) took center stage.

The host questioned, “The NPR flap, that was the big story last week. What do you think about that…as someone who’s had his tussles with media?”

After acknowledging that public radio absolutely has a “liberal bent,” Lemon added. “DEI is — look, there’s some great things about DEI, but it’s not all you know, roses, and I think we need to take a look at it and do some rejiggering.”

Then Lemon got more pointed. “Because it’s gone too far. It’s become a religion. And if you don’t abide by the religion you get kicked out of the church.”

The former host acknowledged that he would take a lot of flak from liberals for his viewpoint. But then he added, “I like DEI, but when it becomes a religion it can be used as a cudgel.”

Maher responded to his guest by agreeing that his summary of DEI “is absolutely true and completely reasonable.”

The host continued, “That is the exact kind of thing if you said that on NPR, they’d fire you.” Then he quipped to Lemon, “You’ve been fired enough lately.”

Lemon was a CNN veteran before landing in hot water last year over several controversies. One drew the ire of his female colleagues when he referred to former Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as “past her prime.”

This and other missteps led to his firing. He resurfaced briefly on X, but Elon Musk canceled his program after a raucous interview.