I think it’s safe to say that CNN’s Don Lemon only has two modes- “triggered” and “outraged”. If he’s not erupting on-air and spuing hate, he just doesn’t seem happy. Unfortunately, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum gave him the ammo he needed to demand the Republican be fired from his job at CNN.
During a speech in April, Santorum misspoke when discussing the ‘Young Ameria’s Foundation’. Santorum meant to say that it was amazing how earlier settlers were able to establish a government and what would become the society we know today- where none previously existed. Instead, Santorum said that there ‘was nothing here’ [In America]. A mistake he immediately tried to correct by mentioning Native Americans but quickly lost his way.
During a discussion with Chris Cuomo, Santorum received his lashings for the gaffe. Though he tried to explain his actual intentions, Cuomo would not hear it. Instead, painted him to be an anti-Native American bigot.
Cuomo sought to tie Santorum’s comments to the Republican Party’s messaging as a whole, claiming he was attempting to erase diversity in the interest of the “white Christian right.” Santorum explained to Cuomo that if the context of the rest of his speech was considered, it would show that he was talking about the country’s founding documents and that he wasn’t dismissing Native American cultural influences on the U.S.
"I wanted to give you a chance to explain yourself, because that's what this show is about."
Tonight @ChrisCuomo asked Rick Santorum about Santorum's widely-condemned comments on Native American culture – here's the entire clip pic.twitter.com/yXZeIsGnpd
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 4, 2021
“I’m breathing heavy right now,” Lemon began as Cuomo introduced him. “I was furious watching that interview in my office. I cannot believe the first words out of his mouth weren’t ‘I’m sorry, I said something ignorant, I need to learn about the history of this country.'”
Lemon, who was visibly and audibly upset, went on to say that Santorum didn’t talk about the suffering that Native Americans have had to deal with and that his comments were “egregious” and “insulting.”
“Europeans did not found this country. It was here, the Native Americans had this country before the Europeans came. Yeah, the Europeans conquered the country, they colonized it, but it had nothing to do with the founding of this country, and he should recognize that” Lemon continued. “He needs to know that, especially if he’s going to be on television representing us and talking about it.”
“It’s all wrong. I’m sorry, but that is the truth. And — I can’t believe — I just — I was watching it going, ‘I cannot believe this man is sitting here and doing this…’ It was like Native American lives matter moment for me watching that. Ugh — Jesus,” he said.
>> @DonLemon's reaction to Rick Santorum's comments: "I apologize to the viewers who were insulted by this. I was sitting in my office, furious, because he's done it so many times. So many times…" pic.twitter.com/UD00zTalI7
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 4, 2021
Tensions then flared as Cuomo told Lemon he needed to do more than just echo the outrage, but needed to figure out where the rhetoric used by Santorum was coming from. The two went back and forth over what Cuomo called an “identity crisis” in the country before Lemon finally said they weren’t getting anywhere and that he was “really mad.”
“We’ve got to go because we’re not going to agree,” Lemon said, to which Cuomo responded that they agree on the problem, but need to figure out a solution.
“I’ve got a solution, but anyways, not my decision,” Lemon concluded, seemingly expressing his desire for Santorum’s firing.
At the time of this report, Santorum still had his job but if I have learned anything about liberals it’s that they will continue throwing tantrums until someone gives in. It may be time for the Republican to consider a career change.