Don Lemon says he’s been fired by CNN: ‘I am stunned’
Posted April 25, 2023 by: Admin
CNN anchor Don Lemon announced his departure from the network on Monday, stating on social media that he had been “terminated” and expressing shock at the lack of direct communication from management. Lemon, who had been with CNN for 17 years and faced criticism over alleged sexist behavior and on-air blunders, including comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley and the U.S. women’s soccer team, had co-anchored CNN This Morning since November 2021.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
CNN CEO Chris Licht acknowledged Lemon’s contributions to the network and wished him well in his future endeavors, but a tweet from CNN Communications disputed Lemon’s account, stating that he had been offered a meeting with management.
Lemon’s departure follows a Variety report in April that detailed several supposed misogynistic incidents at CNN over the past 15 years, including an alleged threat he made to Live From co-host Kyra Phillips over a coveted assignment, derogatory comments about former colleague Soledad O’Brien, and disrespect toward Nancy Grace on the air.
Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.
Advertisement:— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
Lemon’s spokesperson responded to the report with a statement calling it “riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence” and “entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip.”
Lemon, who had co-moderated a 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate and covered breaking news stories for CNN, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the crisis in Ukraine, had said goodbye to his show Don Lemon Tonight in October 2021 before co-anchoring CNN This Morning.
His departure comes as CNN faces a decline in ratings, with CNN This Morning reported to be the network’s lowest-rated morning show in a decade. Despite the messy split, CNN remains committed to the success of CNN This Morning.
