HOT TOPICS | MAGA's Deadly Agenda: Politics Over Lives - August 28th, 2025
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Let's start by talking about the Constitution and democracy. A little education this morning. The Don Lemon Show is brought to you by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. So let's talk facts, all right? Because across the U.S., politicians are trying to sneak religion into public schools. Posters of the Ten Commandments on classroom walls. Chaplains without clinical training. Voucher programs funneling public money into private religious schools. Schools that often exclude LGBTQ students and non-Christians. It's happening right now. But the Freedom From Religion Foundation is fighting back. Just recently, they won a victory in federal court blocking a Texas law that would have forced every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments.
That's what it looks like to defend the First Amendment in court, in Congress, and in the classrooms. Because public education should stay public. Kids should learn math, science, and history. Not be pressured into religion. Learn more at ffrf.us slash school or text my first name, Don, that's D-O-N, to 511-511. Don't let your rights be rewritten. Go to F as in Frank, F as in Frank, R as in Robert, F as in Frank, dot U-S slash school or text Don to 511-511. Text fees may apply. Good morning, everybody. Welcome to Hot Topics. 10 a.m. Eastern time. Let me just ask you guys this. How are you guys doing this morning? I mean, we've been dealing with some heavy stuff. Good morning, Andrea, Lemon family. Good morning, everybody.
I'm so glad that you guys are here. Look at the engagement. It's incredible. Hi, Wendy Woodbury from Southern California. Hello to you. Hello, Lucinda Hayes. Tell me how you guys are doing. Yeah. Yeah. Producers, how are you doing? I didn't ask you guys. We talked a little bit about... A little bit. How are y'all doing after this? Watching all this stuff about the shooting.
Not great, Bob. Not great. Not great at all.
Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot, right? It is.
Yeah, it definitely gets overwhelming.
Yeah. I mean, how many times have we done this? And... What has come of it? Nothing comes of it, right? Boston and Northern Virginia here. But we were kind of discussing the politicians' responses this morning, which we're going to do. We have to gather all this stuff and try to keep... But it's got to get to you. It's frustrating for me, especially to hear some of the stuff we're going to play, the Fox News people and the MAGA administration and MAGA cultists. It's got to be... I want to know what you think about it. What do you think, Peter?
I suppose the one silver lining to this whole affair is that if I did not have this job, if I did not work in this industry, I would still be mired in all of these headlines. I would still be watching these clips on social media and reading about this in the newspaper. And so at least with this... responsibility. I feel like I'm doing something about it. I'm getting the word out. I am, am, am trying to in some way fight back or educate people. So that I suppose is uplifting and, and, and it makes me feel genuinely fulfilled, but yeah, it is, it, it's an incredibly dark time. I just saw a post from Matt Iglesias, a writer, a sub stacker this morning. And he said, in effect, this entire month has had real waning days of a dying empire vibe.
And between troops in the streets, the CDC being sick to smithereens, Russia on the march, it does just feel very dark right now.
Yeah. Yeah. What about you, Andy?
Yeah, I agree with Peter that it does make me feel better to be a part of a show that's talking about these things and helping people in the community here.
But yeah, I'm just trying not to get desensitized by all this news because it's I don't know about you, Don, throughout your career, but for me, it's pretty easy to fall into that.
uh yeah it is it's always tough i always say um you know the worst story i've ever covered was newtown when people ask and i think i've spoken about that um and i just i'll share my experience with that a little bit later but uh it it does get to you but i think that i i'm glad this is gonna sound weird um
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–6:55
2
What happened in the Minneapolis school shooting and why does Don Lemon call it preventable?
6:55–12:00
3
Why does Don Lemon compare reactions to shootings to 'thoughts and prayers' and political deflection?
12:00–23:56
4
How does Don Lemon describe his experience covering past mass shootings like Newtown and Sandy Hook?
23:56–1:06:49