A heated television interview between Piers Morgan and former CNN host Don Lemon descended into a shouting match on Thursday, September 18, 2025, when Morgan called Lemon a “complete dick” during what was supposed to be a discussion about cancel culture and free speech.
The confrontation occurred on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” and began civilly, with both media personalities discussing freedom of speech in America following the recent killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. However, tensions escalated when Morgan asked Lemon whether he felt he was a victim of cancel culture following his departure from CNN in April 2023.
Lemon initially responded hesitantly, indicating he probably was a victim of cancel culture. The situation deteriorated when Morgan played a controversial clip from early 2023 showing Lemon being criticized by female colleagues after he suggested that former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not “in her prime” because women are considered to be in their prime “in their 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
Lemon immediately objected to the clip being shown, claiming he had been ambushed. He stated that when Morgan asked him about interview topics beforehand, Morgan had only mentioned wanting to discuss freedom of speech in America and the response to Kirk’s death. Lemon indicated he would not have accepted the interview had he known his CNN departure would be discussed.
Morgan defended his approach, noting that Lemon had brought up cancel culture himself. Morgan explained that he simply asked whether Lemon’s CNN departure was an example of cancel culture, and Lemon had answered the question. As both men began shouting over each other, Morgan made his inflammatory comment: “I think you’re being a complete ****, if I’m honest with you.”
Lemon responded sarcastically, noting that Morgan’s comment was very kind and respectful. Morgan clarified that his remark was not intended to be kind or respectful. Lemon maintained his composure, stating he could respond in kind but would not because he considered himself above such behavior.
The former CNN host accused Morgan of playing the victim card, despite Lemon having mentioned cancel culture himself. Lemon claimed the controversial clip shown by Morgan had nothing to do with his departure from CNN and accused Morgan of taking his remarks out of context. The exchange continued with both men firing barbs at each other, though they eventually moved on to discuss other topics, including gun laws, albeit with markedly increased tension.
Before the interview was released, Morgan posted on social media that he still did not understand what happened to make Lemon behave as he did. Morgan later described Lemon as a “whiny, touchy, arrogant little dick” in subsequent social media posts. Lemon responded on Instagram, expressing disappointment that they could not have had a productive conversation instead of Morgan diving into what he called “garbage.”
Lemon indicated he had expected a productive discussion but felt Morgan simply wanted clickbait moments. The former CNN anchor suggested he should have known better than to expect otherwise from Morgan. This confrontation adds to Lemon’s recent struggles, as he was also called a “fucking moron” by a man on the street during a recent interview attempt in New York City.
Lemon’s departure from CNN in 2023 came two months after his controversial comments about Haley, which were among several reported instances of misogynistic behavior that led to his termination after 17 years with the network. The interview clip that Morgan showed featured Lemon being berated by female colleagues for his remarks about women being past their prime.
