CNN's Don Lemon blasted for not mentioning his own key role in Jussie Smollett drama - New York Post

As he took the stand Monday, Smollett, 39, had told the court that he first knew that police doubted his race-hate attack was real after getting a text message from Lemon, saying that was key in his decision not to hand his phone records over to cops.

But while Cuomo refused to report on his brother’s scandal, Lemon ended his Monday night show with a report on the latest news from the ex-“Empire” star’s trial — with no mention of his own involvement.

The pair then reported on Smollett’s “really risky” decision to take the stand Monday, as well as the actor detailing his relationship with one of the men he is accused of hiring to stage his attack.

They never once mentioned Lemon’s involvement, even when discussing the “Empire” star’s decision not to hand his phone to police, which Smollett had told the court came after Lemon’s text.

He “lied to a lot of people … including me,” he said on air at the time, Fox News noted at the time.

Reps for CNN and Lemon did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday, Fox News said