It became obvious on Monday evening that CNN has never adopted the Fox motto of “fair and balanced” reporting,especially when Don Lemon -- liberal host of the weekday CNN Tonight program -- tried to deflect any effort by GOP President Donald Trump to take credit for the recent significant drop in black unemployment.
Lemon, talking to an all-Democrat panel, gave credit for the falling rate to former President Barack Obama. The CNN host told his panel that "sensible people" would look at the numbers and say: "Thanks, Obama."
An article written by Ian Schwartz for the Real Clear Politics website noted that Lemon brought up Jay-Z's recent interview with CNN's Van Jones when the “hip-hop icon” dismissed any change in black unemployment because “money doesn't bring happiness. “
"We're talking about it,” Lemon added, “and also, there's underemployment as well.”
“I want to make it clear,” he stated, “because the President tweeted, saying: ‘Someone should tell Jay-Z that unemployment among black African-Americans is the lowest rate ever recorded.’”
Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois and the first member of the panel to respond, noted:
I would say the rate for black unemployment is almost twice that of white unemployment. That's the other point nobody talks about.
So you have to look at it deeper than just raw numbers because I think that doesn’t tell the whole story.
“Seriously, let's talk about this because this is from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics,” the host added. “If you look at the unemployment numbers, right, the African-American unemployment was 6.8 percent in December, down from 16.4 percent in 2011, so there's clearly a lot of work to do, Congresswoman.”
Kelly asserted that the drop in black unemployment is not because of Trump, but is instead of him.
But does Jay-Z have a point? Lemon asked.
Oh, he definitely has a point,’ Kelly responded. “And also when you speak about the change in black unemployment.”
“I represent the Chicagoland area,” she continued. “And if you go to the south side of Chicago, there's still a lot of 18- through 24-year-olds, 29-year-olds, looking for jobs, looking for the skills to be able to be qualified for the jobs.”
The Congresswoman added:
I think that's the reason why we deal with some of the violence that we deal with because they don't feel valued, they don't feel like they have the skills.
So yes, some people have gotten jobs, but there's still a lot of people left behind.
As NewsBusters previously reported. this isn’t the first time Lemon has gone after Trump and his supporters.
During the June 16, 2017, episode of Netflix’s Chelsea titled “Tear Down These Walls,” Lemon let slip a bit of real news -- he thinks that Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well among progressives in America and he thinks it is dangerous.”
“After opening the interview by asking Chelsea Handler, “What the hell is going on in the world?” he admitted that impeachment won’t happen with President Trump as long as Republicans are in control of Congress.”
Of course, Lemon will continue to slam President Trump and other Republicans as long as CNN provides a platform for him to do so. Who knows what his next late-night attack will be?
