LEMON DROP | Keith Edwards Responds to Jasmine Crockett Backlash

Both Don Lemon and Keith Edwards express strong opposition to attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner. They argue that participating in the event, especially when the President has been perceived as an 'enemy of the First Amendment,' normalizes and legitimizes actions that undermine journalism and free speech. They believe journalists should not celebrate with those who seek to control or diminish their profession.

Keith Edwards states, 'Why would I go and sit and like have champagne with people who arrested me? And so, I feel like sitting there and sipping champagne in a tuxedo is kind of normalizing it. And it's this isn't normal.' Don Lemon adds, 'He's been such an enemy of the First Amendment. I just don't... and this this is really just supposed to be a celebration of that.'

The conversation highlights a significant shift in media power from traditional corporate outlets to independent digital creators. Don Lemon, having transitioned from CNN, and Keith Edwards, a political commentator and digital creator, discuss the entrepreneurial nature of this new landscape. They note the lack of a 'roadmap' for success but acknowledge the substantial impact and reach possible for those who do it well, often surpassing legacy media figures in public recognition at events.

Don Lemon remarks, 'I'm in a whole different kind of a different place than I was obviously when I was with corporate media... All those people want to be us now and and digital media.' Keith Edwards mentions, 'I started my channel 20 months ago... I think you've really shown like how big and impactful this can be if it's done well.' Lemon also notes, 'When I walk in I'm often the most like I don't know if it's the most famous or that people are gravitating going I want selfies.'

Keith Edwards details the intense online backlash he received, including accusations of racism, for critiquing Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's political strategy. He finds it frustrating to be 'misunderstood' and believes many attacks are in 'bad faith' attempts to silence him. Don Lemon emphasizes the importance of considering unconscious bias, especially for members of minority communities, and the different rules that apply to them.

Keith Edwards states, 'I had my opinion and then other people have their opinions... I think a lot were in bad faith and that I think it's unfortunate that that's a response you can get on the internet for truly just saying like I think the way that she says she can win Texas doesn't work.' Don Lemon adds, 'The rules are not always the same for us and the rules are not the same for black women. And when criticism that people when they're criticizing or analyzing it analyzing they should they need to take that into account.'

Keith Edwards posits that the Democratic party is currently in an 'anti-establishment moment,' suggesting that future nominees will need to run on platforms that critique both Democrats and Republicans, focusing on corruption. He believes candidates who have been part of the current establishment will struggle to gain primary voter support, citing current DNC under-fundraising despite favorable polling.

Keith Edwards asserts, 'I think we are in an anti-establishment moment. Um I think whoever becomes a nominee is going to run on a platform that critiques not only Democrats, but one that critiques Republicans and comes after the corruption that we're all experiencing in this country.' He adds, 'Democrats are pissed off. You know, the DNC is under fundraising at this point.'

Don Lemon suggests that corporate media outlets are constrained from fully reporting on Donald Trump's perceived physical and mental decline due to ownership interests and fear of legal repercussions. He implies that media companies, influenced by pro-Trump owners, avoid 'headaches' by not pursuing certain stories, even when there's clear evidence of issues.

Don Lemon states, 'They can't do it... Because someone is going to get a phone call. Look at who owns the companies now... they don't want those headaches. And so if it if that means just that's what that's what they do.' He points to Trump's 'cankles, falling asleep, slurring' and incoherent speech as evidence.