Former CNN anchor Don Lemon, 59, sparked concern online after he shared a bizarre video of himself posting fliers around New York City asking people to come to his ‘birthday party.’
Since he parted from CNN, Lemon has completely shifted gears, starting his own network and becoming a street journalist, attempting to engage with the public in a more informal setting.
The change has jarred viewers on social media, with many commenting on his recent odd behavior, including the random birthday party invites.
In a video posted to Lemon’s TikTok on Friday, he was seen walking on the street and taped a piece of paper to a crosswalk sign.
The paper read, ‘You are cordially invited to my birthday! This Sunday 5pm EST.’ A picture of balloons holding a microphone with the inscription, ‘DL,’ was also included in the invite.
Lemon’s ‘birthday party’ wasn’t an invite to a physical celebration, but a link for fans to watch a special livestreamed event on Sunday evening.
The post prompted a swift reaction, with one user sharing the video on X, writing, ‘Yes, Don Lemon is mental.’
Another X user re-shared the video, which prompted a slew of negative comments, with one reading, ‘He has been spiraling for sure!’
Don Lemon, 59, sparked concern on social media after he posted a video on TikTok of himself posting fliers around NYC inviting people to a virtual ‘birthday party’
Lemon posted another TikTok earlier this week running up to the subway car and showing people photos on his phone
Lemon also shared the flier on his Instagram, captioning the post, ‘Come to my Birthday Party LIVE on stream! This Sunday at 5pm EST on my YouTube… I have some surprises in store!’
The fired anchor sparked concern earlier in the week after sharing another strange video of himself on the subway.
In the clip, Lemon is seen running around the Times Square-42nd Street station knocking on the windows of subway cars.
After passengers looked his way, he flashed random photos of Donkey from the Shrek franchise and a picture of himself with a blue hue.
Most of the passengers wouldn’t give him the time of day, but Lemon still got a chuckle out of the prank anyway.
Social media users called the video ‘annoying’ and were shocked to see Lemon in such a different light than how he portrayed himself on CNN.
‘Is that what Don Lemon Does in his spare time now?’ one commenter asked, while another questioned, ‘Is he okay?’
‘Just a few years ago, Don Lemon was making millions at CNN. Now, he’s doing… this,’ another noted in a separate X post.
The flier invited people to his virtual birthday party livestream on Sunday at 5pm EST
Lemon shared that he was putting fliers up around NYC informing people of his birthday party live-stream
The fliers went up on the streets of Manhattan advertising his social media accounts
However, some seemed to find the video amusing, with one writing on his TikTok post, ‘I like this fun side of don lemon! The one too good for CNN.’
‘Don Lemon UNLEASHED is the journalist we need to get us through the next four years,’ another agreed.
The silly videos are a part of Lemon’s new image, which presents a stark contrast from his content on mainstream media.
Lemon has taken his career to social media after his primetime show, Don Lemon Tonight, was canceled in 2022 and he was fired from the network the following year after a brief stint on the morning show.
He’s taken to the streets for interviews instead of his old shiny CNN studio and has committed himself to making viral TikTok content.
In addition to posting videos online, he also hosts his show, The Don Lemon Show live every day at 10 am EST on YouTube.
On Saturday afternoon, he live-streamed from his favorite diner while enjoying a birthday breakfast.
Lemon has also become more candid since he departed from CNN, making headlines recently for a public feud with fellow mainstream commentator-turned independent journalist, Megyn Kelly.
Lemon hosts his own independent commentary show on his YouTube account
Kelly and Lemon issued scathing insults at one another after Joy Reid was fired from MSNBC
The brawl began when MSNBC host, Joy Reid was fired from the network. Lemon was quick to praise the ousted host and condemn the decision to let her go.
Kelly on the other hand seemed to jump for joy, saying on her SiriusXM show, ‘Good riddance to the absolute worst person on television, and shame on NBC for letting it go on this long.’
She added that she enjoyed the video of Reid crying after her firing, which prompted a fiery response from Lemon.
‘No, the worst person on television was fired from NBC and the show a few years ago, and that’s Megyn Kelly!’ he quipped, referencing Kelly’s infamous firing from the network after her controversial comments about blackface.
Lemon then sent a message to Kelly on his livestream, telling her, ‘In my 30-some years as a journalist and my 50-some years as a person of color: Go f*** yourself, okay?’
