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Don Lemon Slams Stephen A. Smith's Controversial Defense

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Don Lemon (CNN anchor) intensified his criticism of Stephen A. Smith (ESPN commentator) for defending the ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Lemon accused Smith of pandering to white audiences for money, saying, "It’s gotta be for the money."
Lemon argued that Smith's comments undermine the Black community and that his shift from sports to political defense is embarrassing and detrimental to Black representation.

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Story summary

Don Lemon (CNN anchor) intensified his criticism of Stephen A. Smith (ESPN commentator) for defending the ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Lemon accused Smith of pandering to white audiences for money, saying, "It’s gotta be for the money."
Lemon argued that Smith's comments undermine the Black community and that his shift from sports to political defense is embarrassing and detrimental to Black representation.