Don Lemon, a former co-anchor of “CNN This Morning” alongside Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow, revealed on Twitter that he had been fired from his position at Cable News Network (CNN). In a statement, Lemon expressed his shock at the news, stating, “I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned.” CNN CEO Chris Licht, on the other hand, wished Lemon well and affirmed that he would always be part of the CNN family. However, the network did not provide a reason for his dismissal.
Lemon’s former co-hosts Collins and Harlow have not commented on his firing publicly. They continued to host the morning show without him on Tuesday. It is not known who will replace Lemon or what he will do next.
Lemon’s departure from CNN came shortly after the news of Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News, leading to speculation about a seismic shift in the cable news landscape. While the exact details of Lemon’s firing remain disputed, Lemon voiced his frustration with the lack of direct communication from management, stating, “After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network.”
CNN’s official communications Twitter account countered Lemon’s claims, stating that he was offered a meeting with management but chose to release his statement on Twitter instead. The network maintained that Lemon’s assertions about his termination were inaccurate. Lemon’s agent has not yet commented on the matter.
Don Lemon had a long-standing career at CNN, spanning nearly two decades. Initially joining the network in September 2006, he spent over eight years as a prime-time host before being moved, along with Harlow and Collins, to the revamped “CNN Mornings” show. However, the ratings for the new show have been disappointing.
Lemon’s firing came amidst reports of alleged misogyny on his part. A recent article from Variety detailed his offensive comments about former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, for which he apologized. During an on-air discussion, Lemon remarked that Haley was not “in her prime” and criticized her call for mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old. The comments sparked controversy, and Lemon later expressed remorse, stating that he was committed to doing better.
Variety’s report also included allegations of Lemon’s disrespectful behavior towards female colleagues, including Nancy Grace and Soledad O’Brien. The article featured interviews with numerous former and current colleagues, some of whom chose to remain anonymous. Lemon’s representative dismissed the report, stating that it was filled with false anecdotes and lacked concrete evidence. CNN’s spokesperson noted that they were unable to corroborate the allegations presented in the report.
This was not the first time Lemon faced criticism for his controversial comments. In December, he engaged in a debate with his co-hosts about compensation in soccer, arguing that male players should receive higher pay than their female counterparts. In September, Lemon drew backlash for asking political commentator S.E. Cupp if she had “mommy brain” after she momentarily lost her train of thought during a panel discussion. Furthermore, in 2014, Lemon faced criticism for suggesting to actress Joan Tarshis, who had accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, that she could have avoided being raped.
The circumstances surrounding Don Lemon’s departure from CNN and the network’s decision to part ways with him remain subject to ongoing discussions and disputes. As the news continues to unfold, the future career prospects of Don Lemon and the impact of his absence on CNN’s programming remain uncertain.