Jane Fonda Shows Up for Don Lemon After His Release — and Urges Americans to “Speak Up”

As Don Lemon walked free from a Los Angeles jail, he didn’t do it alone. Standing firmly by his side was Jane Fonda, and she had a powerful message for the country.

The two-time Oscar winner didn’t mince words after Lemon’s Thursday indictment tied to his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minneapolis church earlier this month. In a video shared by TMZ, Fonda called on Americans to push back against what she described as “autocratic” behavior.

“We are not ready to sit and be quiet. We have to speak up,” Fonda said, urging anyone who believes in the Constitution to do the same.

She made it clear she believes Lemon was simply doing his job. According to Fonda, Lemon and his producer were acting as journalists — nothing more, nothing less — when he was arrested.

“That’s how autocrats act,” she warned, adding that people shouldn’t fall for what she called attempts to smear Lemon’s reputation. “When a red line is crossed like this, we cannot be silent.”

Fonda also spoke from personal experience, reminding viewers that her late husband, Ted Turner, founded CNN — the network where Lemon built much of his career.

“They arrested the wrong Don,” she said, pledging to fight for journalists’ constitutional right to speak freely.

On Friday, Lemon was officially released on a no-cash bond. Outside the Los Angeles courthouse, he thanked supporters who had gathered to back him — and made it clear he’s not backing down.

“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon said. “There is no more important time than this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”

For Lemon and his supporters, the message was loud and clear: this fight isn’t just about one journalist — it’s about press freedom itself.