The Trump White House mocked journalist Don Lemon’s arrest last month with a social media post. However, this incident has boosted Lemon’s online media business significantly, according to a report from the Washington Post published Saturday.
Federal authorities arrested Lemon after he covered an immigration protest at a Minnesota church. The official White House account shared his photo with the caption “When life gives you lemons,” along with a chains emoji.
In the nearly two weeks that followed his arrest, Lemon experienced a surge of new viewers and subscribers on his platforms. The Post reported that he gained over 300,000 followers on Instagram and about 140,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Don Lemon’s Substack also saw rapid growth. His newsletter business increased by 73%, reaching more than 140,000 subscribers, many of whom pay $8 a month for access to what he calls “Lemon Nation.” Substack’s public profile page for Lemon shows that he has over 140,000 subscribers.
“I think they did not expect public sentiment to go the way it’s going,” Lemon told The Washington Post. “They elevated me when they tried to demean me and demote me.”
The Post reported that Lemon’s online store has added new merchandise related to the arrest, including T-shirts, stickers, and $55 sweatshirts with the slogan “We Will Not Be Silenced.” The pricing and product line are available on Lemon’s merchandise site.
When life gives you lemons… ⛓️ pic.twitter.com/wxry0fudOj
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 30, 2026
The arrest is linked to Don Lemon’s presence at a January 18 protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has stated that he was there as a journalist livestreaming events, not as a participant, and he denies any wrongdoing.
The Guardian reported that Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the incident, along with other defendants. This case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates and journalism groups, who argue that such arrests threaten to discourage reporting on protests and immigration enforcement.
The Post described Lemon’s business as a multi-platform operation founded after his departure from CNN, with political commentary shared through YouTube, social media, and paid subscriptions. The report noted that Lemon’s arrest introduced him to a new audience and accelerated growth that was already underway for his digital outlets.
The White House has actively used social media to promote enforcement actions and mock critics. Local and national outlets reported on the “When life gives you lemons” post as it spread online.
According to the Post, Lemon and his advisers quickly converted this attention into subscriptions, merchandise sales, and new viewers. They leaned into the “Lemon Nation” branding and marketed new products linked to the incident.
Lemon’s situation highlights a larger change in how prominent media figures build their audiences outside traditional television. Subscription platforms and direct-to-consumer merchandising have become central to many independent news and commentary businesses. The Post reported that Lemon’s growth has placed him among a group of former mainstream anchors who have successfully built substantial audiences on independent channels.
The legal case is still ongoing, and Lemon has stated that he plans to contest the charges while continuing to report and publish.
