Don Lemon Backlash After 'Trans' Insult, Partial Apology

On his Clip Farmers podcast, former CNN anchor Don Lemon and cohosts John Cotter and Chris Miglioranzi mocked Megyn Kelly’s appearance, calling her “chopped,” saying “I think she looks trans” and “she looks clockable.” The episode explained “clockable” as transgender slang for someone who can be recognized as trans, and the remarks—used as insults—were widely circulated online. Critics condemned using a trans identity as a put-down and called the remarks hypocritical given Lemon's prior public defenses of transgender people, his status as a gay man, and his recent firing from CNN amid accusations of misogynistic behavior. Lemon later posted a follow-up video offering a partial apology to the trans community but again attacked Kelly; Kelly has not publicly responded. Social media reaction remained sharply critical and the incident reignited debate over media conduct and respect for transgender people.