So much for being the “most trusted name in news.”
Don Lemon was the center of attention during CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage, with many viewers anticipating a repeat of last year’s drunken antics.
The anchor whom President Trump has labeled the “dumbest man on television” didn’t disappoint.
Assigned to New Orleans with Brooke Baldwin, Lemon reported to Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on the situation in a crowded bar.
“We are gonna turn this mother out right now,” Lemon proclaimed, before going on to say “we need to let loose.”
At 10:30pm CT, Lemon asserted he had only had his first shot as he danced atop a bar chair and threw bead necklaces at the crowd.
He later maintained, “We sort of pretend like we’re drinking…but then we go out afterwards, paint the town red.”
Cohen wasn’t convinced, mocking Lemon and Baldwin as sounding intoxicated.
“Some of the most intelligent banter ever to air on CNN, I have to say,” Cohen said. “They’re like, ‘can you believe they sent us here, every year! No, can you believe that they sent us here!’ They both said that same thing. They’re drunk! They are drunk! ‘Anderson, can you believe — no! We’re in a bar right now.'”
Drunk Don Lemon has already made an appearance, singing and hitting on pedicab drivers. #CNNNYE #HappyNewYear #NewYearsEve2017 pic.twitter.com/pxtUdWy8LV
— Josh Sánchez (@jnsanchez) January 1, 2018
Lemon and Baldwin took over coverage after midnight. They toasted Baldwin’s engagement to British producer James Fletcher and Lemon’s one-year anniversary with boyfriend, Tim Malone.
“We’ve had a fantastic year,” Lemon told the crowd. “It’s been a little bit nuts.”
As the New Year approached in New Orleans, he chanted “New Year’s, New Year’s, New Year’s.”
When 2018 arrived, Baldwin and Lemon sang an ill-tuned rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” to the accompaniment of a brass band.
Someone get drunk Don Lemon the lyrics to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/chYGxNJpFh
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) January 1, 2018
The hosts were also joined on-air by their respective partners, and shared a New Year’s kiss.
Don Lemon’s kiss on air. Well at least he didn’t get his nipple pierced. @MarkDice #DonLemon pic.twitter.com/HD2HQnkJwN
— ♥️Ashlee Le’Deplorable♥️ (@TrumpWonAlready) January 1, 2018
Last year, Lemon went viral with his inebriated New Year’s Eve coverage, which included getting his ear pierced.
Yes. @donlemon just got his ear pierced live on the air https://t.co/yWGl6FUClk
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 1, 2017
At one point, Lemon admitted “Yeah, I’m lit. Who cares?”
Don Lemon Yeah, I’m lit!!! pic.twitter.com/twVQPqdVwI
— Ghost (@Ghost4everr) January 1, 2017
Don Lemon wasn’t the only CNN employee stirring controversy with his New Year’s Eve festivities.
Reporter Randi Kaye provided coverage of Denver, where she appeared sporting marijuana leaf-styled earrings at a “puff, pass and paint” party.
At the party, Kaye put an unlit “gas mask” bong to her face and at one point was seen helping a man light a bong “stuffed” with cannabis.
CNN is literally smoking weed on air and 2018 is already going to be amazing #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/zImteIPrbO
— Ben McDonald (@Bmac0507) January 1, 2018
She was also filmed holding a joint in her hand.
Twitter users mercilessly mocked Lemon and CNN for the host’s second year of embarrassing coverage.
This. Is CNN.
— Alex Marsh (@realAlexMarsh) January 1, 2018
Gotta get ratings from somewhere
— ReFounderParty (@ReFounderParty) January 1, 2018
What a fitting end to #FakeNewsCNN. It ends with a kiss from a morally bankrupt news host who’ll probably find himself looking for a new job before 2018 comes to an end. I suspect the end of days for Clinton News Network has officially begun.
— MackMajor (@MrMackMajor) January 1, 2018
I was sleeping at 8, after watching an episode of When Calls The Heart on Netflix.
Life without cable tv is marvelous!— Nikki Haley 2024 (@Portland_jet) January 1, 2018
@CNN is seriously a disgusting disappointment. Drunk/ high “news” anchors. I feel like this is a bad version of Anchor Man. Way to keep it classy Don.
— Pocket_full_of_ sunshine (@MAGA_ARIZONA) January 1, 2018
?ewww just ewwww!?
— missy rebel (@missy_rebel) January 1, 2018
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