Don Lemon labels Megyn Kelly 'fallen' star, says longtime rival's influence has diminished

Don Lemon used Megyn Kelly's career as an example to highlight how to not fall from grace in the media industry
PUBLISHED SEP 28, 2024
Don Lemon criticized Megyn Kelly's media career (Getty Images)
Don Lemon criticized Megyn Kelly's media career (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Don Lemon took a swipe at his longtime rival, Megyn Kelly during his appearance on 'The Dean Obeidallah Show' on SiriusXM.

When asked by host Dean Obeidallah about what makes a successful TV anchor, the former CNN anchor did not hold back as he used Kelly's career as an example of someone who, in his view, has "fallen from grace."

Don Lemon attends the 2023 Center Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street on April 13, 2023 in New York City.
Don Lemon labeled Megyn Kelly a 'fallen' star (Getty Images)

Don Lemon says Megyn Kelly has become a 'troll'

In his conversation, Don Lemon said, "Even with Megyn Kelly, who I don’t agree with anything and who has become a troll... she was a star when she was on Fox, and that was where she was supposed to be."

He shared that Kelly's current platform is a far cry from her once prominent position at Fox News, and he implied that her influence has diminished.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA - OCTOBER 02:  Megyn Kelly speaks onstage at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summi
Megyn Kelly has become a troll, according to Don Lemon (Getty Images)

Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023 following accusations of misogyny and "diva-like behavior" behind the scenes, pointed out that a media personality's success can be significantly impacted by being on the wrong platform.

Don Lemon's praise for Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity

While critical of Megyn Kelly, Don Lemon was far more complimentary when discussing two prominent media figures, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Some viewers were more interested in Sean Hannity's physical appearance during the segment (Getty Images)
Don Lemon said Sean Hannity (Pictured) is a star too like Rachel Maddow (Getty Images)

He praised both anchors for their ability to captivate audiences and maintain their star power over time despite ideological differences.

"There’s a reason I feel that people watch Rachel Maddow. She’s a star, and not only is she a star, but she has something to say," said Lemon.

Speaking about Hannity, he noted, "I don’t agree with anything, just about anything Sean Hannity says... but he has something to say and a lot of people listen to him."

He emphasized that what sets Maddow and Hannity apart is their ability to articulate their viewpoints in ways that resonate with large audiences.

"Sean’s a star. There’s no denying that," Lemon added.

Don Lemon's rivalry with Megyn Kelly

Don Lemon's criticism of Megyn Kelly comes amid an ongoing public feud with 'The Megyn Kelly Show' host, who has been a vocal critic of the ex-CNN host.

Don Lemon attends the 2023 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2023 in New York City.
Don Lemon claimed Megyn Kelly's influence in the media industry has diminished (Getty Images)

Kelly recently condemned Lemon for a TikTok video mocking former first lady Melania Trump, while referring to an assassination attempt on GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump as a "horrible, distressing experience."

Once a prominent figure at Fox News, Kelly has been outspoken about her disdain for Lemon, particularly after his firing from CNN, according to Mediaite.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025