CNN anchor Don Lemon found out just how easy it is to fall from grace last night. He was fortunate enough to have scored a sit-down interview with Joan Tarshis, one of the 14 women who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, and rather than handle the issue with a certain level of sensitivity, he ended up infuriating viewers. Tarshis claims to have stayed quiet for decades because she was embarrassed and ashamed of what reportedly happened to her and this week is the first time she has ever spoken publicly about her unwanted encounter with Cosby.
When Tarshis finished relaying her story to Lemon, instead of proceeding with caution, he instead went in with a line of questioning that was the equivalent to falling backwards off of a cliff.
"Can I ask you this? And please, I don't mean to be crude, OK? You said this last night, that you lied to him and said, 'I have an infection, and if you rape me, or if you do — if you have intercourse with me, then you will probably get it and give it to your wife.'" (Cosby allegedly responded by forcing her to perform oral sex instead.) "You know, there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn't want to do it," said Lemon.
Tarshis looked stunned by the notion and the whole exchange left viewers feeling like Lemon was somehow blaming her for not biting Cosby in that moment. Today, the anchor issued a statement kind of apologizing if his line of questioning came across as insensitive and he reminded viewers that he too, is a victim of sexual abuse so he would never intend to discredit someone else that has suffered similar injustice.
Lemon's apology seems to have gone over just about as well as his original segment with Tarshis did! Do you think that CNN should take disciplinary action against Lemon, as has been suggested? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
