Don Lemon is not ruling out the possibility of a comeback for Matt Lauer, the former TV host who was dismissed from the “Today” show amid serious sexual misconduct accusations during the height of the #MeToo movement.

During his appearance on the “Hollywood Raw” podcast this Wednesday, the ex-CNN anchor shared his insights on his relationship with Lauer.

“I only got to know Matt after everything happened, since we live in the same area and share friends,” Lemon commented. “Whenever I run into Matt or have dinner with him and his fiancée, I see that people genuinely like him.”

He continued: “Women seem to be particularly fond of him! They say, ‘Oh my God, can I take a picture? I really miss you on TV!’ It seems the public still has affection for him. They miss him, but those in the industry seem more cautious.”

Lauer was a co-anchor on “Today” for two decades before his dismissal in November 2017, following an allegation of “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”

After Lauer’s termination, Variety published the findings of an extensive two-month investigation that revealed allegations from three women who accused Lauer of sexual harassment. The report indicated that for Lauer, work and personal relationships became intertwined, as he reportedly had a pattern of inviting women to his hotel room during Olympic coverage and to his secluded office at 30 Rockefeller Center.

Why Don Lemon believes Matt Lauer can ‘choose his own path’

Responding to the allegations against Lauer, Lemon told “Hollywood Raw” hosts Dax Holt and Adam Glyn: “I don’t have insight into the events that transpired.”

“Women have legitimate feelings, and I respect that, but that’s their perspective,” Lemon stated. “When I’m with him, it’s clear that everyone loves Matt and gathers around him for photos, saying, ‘We miss you, and we want to see you on TV again.'”

When discussing Lauer’s potential return, Lemon suggested that the former anchor “can determine his own direction” in the realm of digital journalism, asserting that cancel culture feels “over” following the election of President Donald Trump.

“It seems to be more those within the industry who worry about Matt’s past,” Lemon observed. “I believe the general public would welcome him back, and viewership numbers would probably soar.”

Don Lemon, Matt Lauer, and the evolving landscape of cancel culture

Lemon hosted “Don Lemon Tonight” on CNN for almost a decade, from 2014 to 2022. He was let go from the network in April 2023 after making controversial remarks about former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, implying she was not “in her prime” due to her age, along with allegations of inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues mentioned in a Variety report.

Following his dismissal, Lemon sought to make a comeback with a new media company and a brief venture with Elon Musk’s social media platform X. He has since filed a lawsuit against Musk after that collaboration fell through.

The term “cancel culture” first appeared in the 1980s in a song by the band Chic, which mentioned being ‘canceled’ post-breakup as something that could happen in relationships, as explained by Ange-Marie Hancock, executive director of the Kirwan Institute at Ohio State University, in a prior YSL News interview.

This concept, rooted in Black culture, evolved into a symbol of accountability. The rise of social media and shifting societal standards for acceptable behavior have led to much more “canceling” of celebrities, who can face backlash based on past actions or accusations ranging from bullying to racism.

Despite the widespread conversation about “cancel culture,” many individuals, including artists like Chris Brown—who has faced numerous allegations of violence against women—have managed to escape its consequences.

“You can always reinvent yourself,” Lemon expressed in a September 2024 interview with YSL News. “That’s one of America’s greatest strengths. As long as you don’t hold onto the past or fixate on your mistakes—whether you think they were justified or not—there’s always an opportunity for renewal and moving forward.”

Contributing: Cara Kelly, Erin Jensen, Morgan Hines, and David Oliver, YSL News