They were the "Cuomo Prime Time" handoff that turned into a cultural moment. For years, the nightly transition between Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon on CNN wasn't just a scheduling gap; it was a high-energy, joke-filled display of genuine affection that viewers dubbed a "bromance." They sang. They danced. They argued about pasta.
Then everything broke.
If you're wondering are Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo still friends, the answer isn't a simple yes or no. It's a messy, complicated reality shaped by legal depositions, professional betrayal, and the brutal nature of the cable news industry. Honestly, it’s a cautionary tale about what happens when your best friend becomes a liability to your paycheck.
The night the music died at CNN
The downfall started with Chris Cuomo's firing in December 2021. While the initial headlines focused on Chris helping his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, navigate sexual harassment allegations, the fallout hit Don Lemon almost immediately.
During the subsequent legal battles and investigations, a bombshell dropped.
Reports surfaced that Chris Cuomo had allegedly sent a text message to actor Jussie Smollett, warning him that the Chicago Police Department didn't believe his story. This was a massive conflict of interest because Don Lemon had been covering the Smollett case extensively. In fact, Lemon testified in court that he had reached out to Smollett to tell him the police were skeptical.
The tension was palpable. Suddenly, the two men weren't just colleagues; they were potentially witnesses in each other's professional nightmares.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
Why the question of are Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo still friends is so complicated
You’ve got to understand the "Lemon-Cuomo" dynamic wasn't just for the cameras. They vacationed together. Their families were close. When Chris was fired, Don gave an emotional on-air tribute, calling Chris his "brother" and saying he loved him.
But then the lawsuits started.
Chris Cuomo filed a $125 million wrongful termination lawsuit against CNN. In that process, a lot of dirty laundry aired out. Some of it involved Don. When you're suing a company for nine figures, everyone still working at that company becomes a "them" instead of a "us."
Don stayed at CNN for over a year after Chris left, eventually being moved to the morning show before his own high-profile firing in 2023. During that gap, the silence between the two was deafening. No more public birthday shoutouts. No more "I love you, man" on social media.
The podcast era and the "thaw"
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. Both men are now in the independent media space. Chris is at NewsNation, and Don is running The Don Lemon Show on social platforms like X and YouTube.
Distance, apparently, makes the heart grow slightly less bitter.
📖 Related: Martha Stewart Young Modeling: What Most People Get Wrong
In recent interviews, both have hinted that the ice is melting. Chris Cuomo appeared on Don Lemon’s new show, which was a massive deal for fans who had followed their fallout. They didn't jump back into the old "singing and dancing" routine immediately. It was more guarded. It was the vibe of two guys who have been through a war together, got separated in the trenches, and are now trying to remember why they liked each other in the first place.
Chris has been vocal about the fact that he doesn't hold grudges against his former colleagues for staying at CNN while he was ousted. He basically said that everyone has to look out for their own family and their own career. That’s a very pragmatic, "New York" way of looking at friendship.
What most people get wrong about their fallout
People think there was one big screaming match. Usually, that’s not how it works in TV. It’s more about the lawyers. When Chris was under investigation, CNN’s legal team likely told Don and other anchors to keep their distance.
That hurts.
Imagine your best friend is going through the worst week of his life and your boss tells you that if you call him, you might lose your job. Don chose his job. Chris, understandably, felt abandoned.
There's also the Jussie Smollett factor. Don was criticized for his involvement in that case, and the idea that Chris was "tipping off" Smollett—who Don was also talking to—created a weird, competitive circle of ethical lapses. They weren't just friends; they were two guys playing by a set of rules that eventually caught up with both of them.
👉 See also: Ethan Slater and Frankie Grande: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Are they "best friends" again?
Probably not in the way they were in 2019.
Back then, they were the kings of CNN. Now, they are competitors in a crowded digital landscape. They are friendly. They talk. They support each other’s projects. But the "brotherhood" has definitely been rebranded as a professional mutual-respect society.
Honestly, it's more authentic this way. The over-the-top affection on CNN always felt a little performative, even if the foundation was real. Now, when they speak, it’s with the weight of two people who know exactly how fickle the public and the networks can be.
Actionable insights for following the Lemon-Cuomo saga
If you’re looking to keep up with where they stand today, don't look at the mainstream news. That bridge is burned. Instead, focus on these specific outlets where they actually speak their minds:
- The Don Lemon Show: Watch for the guest list. When Chris appears, the body language tells you more than the words. They still have that shorthand communication, but there's a visible "buffer" now.
- The Chris Cuomo Project: Chris uses his podcast to vent about the industry. He often references "the way things were" at his old job. Pay attention to how he frames Don’t firing compared to his own.
- Social Media Interactions: They have started liking each other's posts again. In the world of celebrity friendships, a "like" on Instagram is often the first sign of a legal truce.
The reality of the situation is that the media industry is small. Very small. You can't stay mad forever when you're both fighting for the same audience in the independent space. They need each other now more than they did at CNN. At CNN, they were part of a machine. Now, they are the machine.
To answer the burning question: Are Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo still friends? Yes, they are. But it’s a friendship that has been through the shredder and taped back together. It’s functional, it’s respectful, and it’s probably a lot more honest than the version we saw on cable news at 9:00 PM every night.
Keep an eye on their upcoming collaborative projects. There are constant rumors of a joint digital show or a limited podcast series. That will be the ultimate proof that the bromance has officially entered its second act.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check out the 2024 interview where Don Lemon interviewed Chris Cuomo on his independent platform to see the "new" dynamic for yourself.
- Follow both on X (formerly Twitter) as they frequently engage with each other's content, which is the best real-time barometer of their relationship.
- Search for "The Chris Cuomo Project" episodes featuring Don Lemon to hear the behind-the-scenes details of their CNN exits.