Black leadership in a predominantly black community was no obstacle for Don Lemon in getting a mayor to pull the race card and sing a new song alleging neglect from the government.
For more than two weeks, Indianans have been dealing with cleanup efforts following a devastating storm. This includes many in Gary, where Mayor Eddie Melton (D) shifted from assuring his constituents weren’t “left behind” to telling Lemon he “100%” believes “communities of color” are left to suffer after tragedies.
During an interview on the former CNN personality’s podcast, Lemon asserted “neglect” as he sought agreement from the mayor: “This is, to me, it feels like neglect. Do you think that some of that neglect came from, comes from or is happening — if you feel that way — it may be in part because Gary is a black, working class city?”
“One hundred percent, I believe a couple things are at play here,” said Melton, who went on to argue “typically communities of color are left behind during tragic events like this,” while failing to emphasize that initial delays in recovery were a result of NIPSCO energy company employees getting shot at while working on the power outage.
Gary, Indiana, mayor says his city is “100%” being neglected because it’s a predominantly black city after going 13 days without power.
The electric company, NIPSCO, says they were forced to pause work after their crew was shot at while they were helping restore power.
NIPSCO… pic.twitter.com/HeyGB70Rea
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 25, 2026
“We’ve paused work out there until the city and company get a plan in place [for our safety],” USW Local 12775 President Ryan Baker told the Chicago Post-Tribune in the wake of the August 14 incident. “Our men and women are busting their a** 24/7 to get the power back on for 300,000 people spread over three counties, so it’s unfortunate and shouldn’t have happened.”
Likewise, Melton himself had acknowledged the impact violence had on restoration efforts as some 10 days earlier he’d requested assistance from the Indiana State Police. “Let me be clear: This type of violence is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the City of Gary. These crews are here for one reason — to help our residents and restore electricity to families who have already endured days without power.”
Despite that, he still insisted on touting “record low-crime rates” and claimed the shooting was “an isolated act of violence” before saying at a press conference days later, “I want to be clear, Gary has not been left behind.”
This stood in stark contrast to his assertion on “communities of color” after tragedies.
And the community will eat up the second message for zero accountability
— TonyG (@TonyGPaPa) August 25, 2026
While Lemon pushed a racial narrative on the city just outside Chicago, Illinois, social media users were more than happy to highlight the rosters of both NIPSCO’s parent company and the city’s common council and the glaring lack of diversity that readily called into question suggestions of neglect based on race.
As one social media user succinctly put it, “WTF! All the people that are responsible are black. They form the backbone of the council and power company. They run the city. This isn’t a white person thing, it’s an incompetence thing.”
Nailed it.
— Brad and Water (@BradOwe84616776) August 26, 2026
Neglected you say? pic.twitter.com/JGlxYyuv6v
— Constantine (@_sleepybrowns) August 25, 2026
The electric utility in Gary is NIPSCO which has a black CEO, a black Chief Operating Officer and black Group President of Utilities. Clearly the problem is White people. pic.twitter.com/0JVMfCTxc5
— Arthur Sido (@DelargeExtra) August 23, 2026
The team presently responsible for Gary, Indiana pic.twitter.com/2Jn8Rbbf2y
— DoctorBrydon (@CesareBorgiaRed) August 25, 2026
What does #donlemon Think about the people of North Carolina who went months without power while the Democrat run FEMA was diverting their aid to house and provide for illegal aliens?
— Larry Sims (@StoolSampl) August 25, 2026
Fact check time:
The Gary Common Council has been entirely controlled by the Democratic Party with no Republican members elected since 1980.
Every Mayor of Gary, Indiana has been a Democrat since 1943.
Lake County (Gary’s in that county) has given pluralities or majorities to…
— 20th Century Boxing: Icons, Memories & More (@20thCentBoxIMM) August 26, 2026
Make it about race to cover for generational bad decisions.
Lowest form of political fighting.— Ray Maddalone (@GlowplugvRay) August 25, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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