CNN host shuts down guest for making ‘fake news’ claim

CNN host Don Lemon abruptly ended his show Friday night after a commentator continued to call a story they were discussing “fake news” while defending President Trump.

Lemon was moderating a discussion on the cost of Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago in Florida when Paris Dennard, a political analyst and commentator who formerly served in the George W. Bush administration, called it “fake news.”

“The president is not breaking any laws, and he’s not doing anything,” Dennard said.

Lemon interrupted to shut down Dennard’s use of the term “fake news,” minutes before the show ended.

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“Fake news is when you put out a story to intentionally deceive someone and you know that it is wrong,” he said.

“This story that we’re doing right now is not to intentionally deceive anyone. We are simply talking about the cost to keep a president safe,” he continued.

“Please stop it with that stupid talking point, that it is a fake news story. If you don’t want to participate in the news stories on this network, then don’t come on and participate. But don’t call them fake because you don’t agree with them. Go on.”

Dennard insisted that “this is a fake news story,” after which Lemon ended the segment altogether.

“OK, Paris, thank you very much everyone,” Lemon said. “Thanks everyone, thanks for watching. Have a great weekend. Goodnight, all.”

Updated: 10:25 p.m.