Trump slams Don Lemon as 'loser, lightweight' over 'horrible' Minnesota church protest video

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump strongly criticized Don Lemon over his remarks and his association with an anti-ICE protest. The protest drew attention after demonstrators entered a church during a religious service.

Speaking at a press briefing, Trump praised Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)officers and defended their work. He accused Lemon of unfairly attacking the agency and its personnel. Called the Former CNN anchor a 'loser, lightweight.'

Lemon had reported on a Minneapolis protest in which demonstrators interrupted a Sunday prayer service. The protesters said they believed the pastor had ties to ICE. Lemon was heard saying, "This is what the First Amendment is about, the freedom to protest."

Trump slams Don Lemon while defending ICE during a White House briefing 

On Tuesday, January 20, Donald Trump began a White House press briefing by reviewing his first year in office. He opened by praising Immigration and Customs Enforcement and displayed mugshots of individuals arrested in the state. He then shifted his focus to Don Lemon.

While defending ICE, Donald Trump described the agency’s mission and the people it targets. He said, "These are tough people. So, this is what the people are trying to protect, because all ICE wants to do is get them out of our country, bring them to the prisons, and jails, and mental institutions from where they came."

He continued by criticizing Don Lemon directly and referenced footage from a church protest. Donald Trump said, "That’s all they wanna do. They’re patriots and they have to be abused by guys like Don Lemon, who’s a loser, lightweight. I saw him, the way he walked in that church."

Trump continued, "It was terrible. I have such respect for that pastor. He was so calm. He was so nice. He was just accosted. What they did in that church was horrible yesterday."

Don Lemon documents protest inside Minnesota church

Don Lemon recorded a tense confrontation inside a Minneapolis church in Minnesota on Sunday, January 18. The incident unfolded when anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement activists entered the building during a worship service. The protesters accused the pastor of having ties to immigration enforcement and disrupted the gathering.

Streaming live on YouTube, Don Lemon captured demonstrators walking into Cities Church as the service was underway. The group shouted chants such as “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!” and “ICE OUT,” forcing the service to pause. The interruption led several attendees to leave the church.

Footage from inside shows protesters chanting “Justice for Renee Good” as tensions rose. The scene reflected growing unrest tied to anti-ICE demonstrations across the Twin Cities. Commenting on the moment, Don Lemon said, "This is what the First Amendment is about, the freedom to protest... protests are not comfortable... the whole point of it is to disrupt and make people uncomfortable."

At one point, a church member questioned whether Don Lemon was involved in the protest. Don Lemon responded by clarifying his role, saying he was “just here photographing, I’m a journalist.”