Don Lemon skewers Trump, Kristi Noem's husband on 'The View'

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Apr 2, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Don Lemon appeared on ABC’s “The View” Thursday where he attempted to turn the tables on President Donald Trump.

The former CNN host told the talk show’s panels that he feels he’s being targeted by the Trump administration as evidenced by the president having called him “the dumbest man on television.”

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg interjected to say that Trump — who delivered a nationally televised 19-minute speech on Wednesday — uses the same verbiage to attack the women on “The View.”

“I think the dumbest man on television presented himself last night,” Lemon said to audience applause.

Trump’s speech did not address one of the week’s more bizarre political stories, which was the Daily Mail’s report about former Department of Homeland Security’s husband Bryon Noem allegedly being part of the cross-dressing “bimbofication” fetish community.

“Every accusation is a confession with this (administration),” Lemon continued. “Whatever they say about anyone else is usually about them. Look at how they demonize trans people and then you have whatchamacallit with the boobs — Kristi Noem’s husband.”

Bryan Noem hasn’t addressed the issue other than assuring the Daily Mail he’s done nothing that represents a national security issue.

The Trump administration hasn’t just called Lemon names. The 60-year-old journalist was was taken into custody by federal agents in January after covering a protest that took place in a Minnesota church. Lemon pleaded not guilty to civil rights charges.

Lemon told “The View” the charges he faces reflect the way the Trump administration is trying to “chill journalism” with the fear of criminal and civil lawsuits.

“I think this is bigger than me,” he said.

“The View” found itself in a stare down with federal officials last June when a White House spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly the show risked being pulled from the airwaves after panelist Joy Behar criticized the president. FCC chairman Brendan Carr told reporters in February that the committee had an “enforcement action underway” to determine whether the network acts with political bias.

_____