As we told you yesterday, CNN’s Don Lemon responded to the arrest of Jussie Smollett by saying it’s not the “Empire” actor’s fault he’s already lost in the court of public opinion. Lemon has also expressed concern that Smollett has given conservatives an opportunity to “pounce”:

CNN's Don Lemon on Jussie Smollett: Donald Trump and conservatives will "eat his lunch" https://t.co/vuKi71B7s4 pic.twitter.com/vLOggsWA7L — Newsweek (@Newsweek) February 22, 2019

But as much as Lemon has tried to defend Smollett, the evidence seems too overwhelming to be able to spin, though at the beginning of this clip Lemon does get in a swipe at Chicago police:

CNN's Don Lemon tells his friend Jussie Smollett, if you're guilty, "confess, throw yourself on the mercy of the court, and of the people, and then see where that leads." pic.twitter.com/uXmQMCHaNF — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) February 22, 2019

Lemon and Cuomo seem to find Smollett’s troubles unspinnable at this point, not that there won’t be some future spin presented:

Watching Don Lemon struggle with his cognitive dissonance is awkward. I almost feel bad for him. Almost! And of course, Chris Cuomo's concern isn't with the truth. It's that Smollett isn't "helping the cause." These guys are Democratic Party operatives. https://t.co/xiZ8HNAzqy — Free Jussie Smollett (@jtLOL) February 22, 2019

I enjoy the "police are horrible" beginning, leading to "presumption of innocence," as if he just in the last 24 hours discovered that standard existed. What an incredibly huge douche nozzle. — Sagacious Guy (@RealSagacity) February 22, 2019

Given his admitted friendship with the subject. @donlemon shouldn’t be allowed to cover the story. That’s how journalistic ethics work. Then again, @CNN isn’t a news outlet, so oh well I guess — A (@Aposter1228) February 22, 2019

These people are an absolute joke. They couldn’t convict Kavanaugh and the Covington kids fast enough. https://t.co/q2LuDPwucN — CiceRoh (@roachman61) February 22, 2019

Stay tuned!