Don Lemon ‘Pitched Himself Aggressively’ to Be Guest on Stephen Colbert’s Final Late-Night Show

Don Lemon was apparently hoping to be a part of the series finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The former CNN host, 60, “pitched himself aggressively” to be a guest on Stephen Colbert‘s final episode of his late-night show, a source told journalist Rob Shuter for a Thursday, May 28, report on his Naughty But Nice Substack.

However, the insider pointed out that “there’s a huge difference between trending online and being Paul McCartney,” who sat down with Colbert, 62, on the May 21 CBS finale.

The final episode of the 11th season featured numerous cameos by guests who had previously made appearances on Colbert’s show as well as an appearance by the Beatles rocker, 83.

“Stephen wanted warmth, nostalgia, and joy,” a source told Shuter. “Paul McCartney brings all that. Don Lemon brings controversy and political noise.”

“This was television history,” the source added. “Not cable-news therapy.”

Lemon, who was arrested in January after sharing live footage from an anti-ICE protest that took place at Cities Church in Minnesota, has made headlines in recent months for being politically outspoken. Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in February.  

The journalist has openly criticized President Donald Trump and the current administration.

“Don truly believed he represented this moment politically and culturally,” a source told Shuter. “In his mind, he’s become the public face of resistance to Trump-era politics and media intimidation.”

According to the source, Lemon “started seeing himself less as a broadcaster and more as a political force.”

Because the journalist continues to make headlines, Shuter’s source said that it “changed the way he approached everything — including this booking.”