Don Lemon blasts Barack Obama over 'cringy' bromance with Donald Trump at Jimmy Carter's funeral
WASHINGTON, DC: In the Sunday, January 12, episode of his podcast, journalist and political commentator Don Lemon expressed disappointment with Barack Obama after the former president was spotted engaging in a friendly chat with President-elect Donald Trump at late president Jimmy Carter's funeral.
According to Mediaite, Obama and Trump met at the funeral held at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9. They were seated next to each other during the somber event and were seen chatting with each other like old friends, with Obama even flashing a quick smile at one point over Trump's remark.
The warm interaction became the spotlight of the event. When asked about the incident, Trump later told reporters that the exchange looked "very friendly" and they "probably" liked each other. However, the former CNN anchor was not very pleased by this development and gave his opinion on the same in a YouTube video titled "Trump & Obama Yucking it Up!"
Don Lemon's take on friendly conversation between Donald Trump and Barack Obama
In his podcast called 'The Don Lemon Show', the host claimed that he was not interested in the topic of conversation between Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Rather, he was more concerned with how it looked to the common people, as the two had vilified each other ahead of the general election months ago.
"People had many, many questions. How could Barack Obama, the man who faced vicious, racist conspiracies for years because of Trump act so buddy-buddy with him?" asked Lemon.
"Does he not remember birtherism? Does he not remember how for years Trump lied about how he was secretly born in Africa? Does he not remember how Trump suggested that he was secretly a Muslim who was sympathetic to terrorist groups and terrorist causes?" Lemon further questioned.
"Perhaps more critically, does he not remember how his entire political party has been calling the man a fascist, an autocrat, a threat to democracy for months if not years?" he further asked.
Lemon felt that Obama was "doing his duty" at Carter's funeral, but his interaction with Trump might lead to Democrats coming off as liars in their harsh criticism of Trump.
"I think he had no choice, but laughing at Trump’s jokes on camera? It was risky, kind of cringy," noted Lemon.
"Optics like this are things that Democrats have to consider going forward. They spent years, if not months, if not years labeling Trump a political aberration, someone cruel, if not evil, outside the norm. Their voters may feel lied to if they appear to embrace him now. You can’t just memory hole comparing someone to Hitler."
Commenting on former Trump VP Mike Pence's wife Karen ignoring Trump at the ceremony, Lemon concluded, "You can’t allow Karen Pence to present as a more steadfast defender of democracy, a more courageous critic of Trump, than yourselves. Democrats, your outdated impulse to prioritize good relationships with your conservative colleagues at all costs. It’s got to end."
Internet defends Barack Obama after Don Lemon blasts him
Commenting on Don Lemon's YouTube video, viewers strongly defended Barack Obama for being cordial with Donald Trump at Jimmy Carter's funeral.
"Obama is an adult. And gracious human being," wrote one person.
"Obama will show respect to anyone. That is in his fiber as a human being," shared another.
"I despise Trump. But I have zero problem with Obama acting like a normal, civil person at a funeral," noted one individual.
"Barack Obama was put in an uncomfortable situation, and he handled it with grace," expressed another.
"Pres Obama is classy man. No problem with this interaction," a netizen stated.
"President Obama rises to the occasion…period," added another.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
