The Democratic Policy and Communications Committee is providing independent journalist Don Lemon with a Congressional staff escort so he can livestream his show from Capitol Hill. The DPCC is in charge of developing the party’s messaging, and they’re hosting Lemon as they figure out how to win back voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The DPCC staffers are allowing Lemon into places he would not otherwise be permitted, including the House steps during votes.
Straight Arrow News asked Lemon if he agreed to publish certain content in exchange for the escort and access.
“There’s no agreement. We just tell them who we want to interview, and that’s it,” Lemon told SAN. “They try to facilitate it.”
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Lemon said he doesn’t have a credential, “because we’re not here all the time.” The Congressional press galleries provide out-of-town journalists with temporary passes.
Lemon broke multiple rules that govern press coverage and access, including following members up the steps.
“We’ll see if we’re allowed to do that again,” Lemon told viewers at the end of his show.
SAN learned that Lemon has not applied for credentials through the House Radio-TV Gallery. Lemon told SAN that they are seeking approval through the Senate gallery.
SAN reached out to the DPCC for comment and have not yet heard back. We asked if Lemon is paying for the staff members’ time, if they have ever provided other journalists with a DPCC escort and if there was an agreement that Lemon would publish certain content in exchange for the escort.
Reporters on Capitol Hill said they have never seen such an arrangement between a journalist and the messaging arm for House Democrats. It is also believed that Lemon wanted an escort rather than credentials, so he didn’t have to follow the established rules and etiquette for coverage.
