“CNN Tonight” host Don Lemon is as appalled by President Donald Trump’s words to a fallen soldier’s widow as the rest of us. With the knowledge the president watches his show, Lemon relayed an open letter to Trump in light of the insensitive remarks made during a call with Sgt. La David Johnson’s widow Myeshia Johnson.

“Dear Mr. President,” Lemon began. “I’ve interviewed you multiple times. You’ve introduced me to your family. You’ve also criticized me publicly … both in front of cameras and on Twitter. Calling me ‘hateful,’ ‘dumb,’ a ‘lightweight.'”

Last week, U.S Representative Frederica Wilson (D-FL) shared the details of a conversation that took place between Trump and Johnson in what was intended to be a condolence call. Wilson said Trump told the woman her late husband — who died during an ambush in Niger on Oct. 13 — knew “what he signed up for” by joining the military. Johnson said the president also struggled to recollect the former sergeant’s name.

After reputing Rep. Wilson’s words last week, Trump shifted his focus to Johnson on Monday when he disputed the latter claim.

“Your tweet this morning essentially called her a liar,” Lemon said. “Mr. Trump, please stop it. Please stop! Think of what Sgt. Johnson would want. You are putting his widow in the terrible position of having to fight for her dignity when she should be concentrating on taking care of herself, her health, her two children, and the one on the way.”
He then asked Trump to imagine the women in his family being placed in Johnson’s predicament.
“If Myeshia Johnson is mad at you, take it. Just as President Bush and others did. Take it,” he continued. “It’s part of what YOU signed up for when you decided to descend that escalator and throw your hat in the ring for president. You’re commander in chief, the President of the United States of America, the greatest country on Earth. Act like it. Act like you know that you’re big enough not to have to win every fight or respond to every criticism.”
“And think about this: The only Gold Star families you have attacked are people of color. How does that look?”
Lemon then took it upon himself to issue the apology the president likely won’t.
“Since the President seems incapable of finding the right words, let me speak for the entire country. We are all sorry for what you’re going through,” Lemon said. “We agree with you that La David, your hero husband, was an awesome soldier, a great man, and a great American,” he continued.
“To be extremely candid, as a black man, I am always looking for role models who look like me, and the latest one I found was your husband,” Lemon said. “And may you find peace when you can finally get a good night’s sleep, knowing that this is America and we got your back.”
don lemon
Myeshia Johnson
President Donald Trump
Rep. Frederica Wilson
Sgt. La David Johnson