Former CNN anchor Don Lemon expressed his belief that Matt Lauer, the former "Today" show host ousted in 2017 following sexual assault allegations, could potentially return to television. Lemon shared his perspective on the "Hollywood Raw" podcast, highlighting Lauer's continued popularity with the public, particularly women, who often approach him for photos and express their fondness and how much they miss seeing him on screen.

Lemon suggested that the apprehension surrounding Lauer's potential return primarily stems from within the industry rather than from the general public. He speculated that if the current climate, influenced by the "Trump era," signifies the end of "cancel culture," there might be an opportunity for Lauer to re-enter the news landscape. Lemon also praised Lauer's inherent talent for television, asserting that some individuals are simply naturally gifted in their field. He proposed that a digital platform could offer Lauer the autonomy to navigate his own career path.

Lauer's dismissal from the "Today" show stemmed from accusations of "inappropriate sexual behavior" with a colleague during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Ronan Farrow's subsequent book included a more serious rape allegation, which Lauer vehemently denied, maintaining that the encounter was consensual. He admitted to an extramarital affair but insisted all sexual acts were mutually agreed upon.

It's worth noting that Lemon himself faced a sexual assault accusation in 2019, which was later retracted by the accuser in 2022. Furthermore, a 2023 Variety report detailed allegations of threatening text messages sent by Lemon to a colleague and instances of misogynistic behavior at work. Despite CNN's initial defense, Lemon was ultimately terminated from the network.