Don Lemon fired: CNN host out at network, says there are ‘larger issues at play’
Julia Johnson
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A “stunned” Don Lemon announced on Monday morning that he had been terminated from CNN.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” the former CNN This Morning host tweeted.
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“It is clear that there are some larger issues at play,” he wrote in the cryptic statement.
https://twitter.com/donlemon/status/1650533617636966400?s=20
“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,” the host said.
He added, “I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”
Following the embattled former host’s tweet, CNN CEO Chris Licht released a statement.
“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” he said. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
He added, “We are committed to its success,” referring to CNN This Morning, which Lemon formerly hosted alongside Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.
This comes immediately after Fox News announced the sudden departure of its popular prime-time host Tucker Carlson.
Lemon, who has always been known to push boundaries, has recently come under fire for his treatment of women, in particular.
He was accused of ageism and sexism earlier this year when he suggested presidential candidate Nikki Haley was past her “prime.” He spent several days off the air following backlash.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today. To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry. I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better. See you soon,” he apologized afterward.
It was also revealed that he would be undergoing “formal training” at the network.
Then, Variety published an exposé, “Don Lemon’s Misogyny at CNN, Exposed: Malicious Texts, Mocking Female Co-Workers and ‘Diva-Like Behavior.'”
In the piece, he was accused of various inappropriate behaviors and misconduct throughout his years at CNN.
“The story, which is riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence, is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip. It’s amazing and disappointing that Variety would be so reckless,” a spokesperson for Lemon said at the time.
In a recent episode of the relatively new CNN Morning show, Lemon got into a charged discussion with presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy about the Civil War and gun rights. He, at one point, said that Ramaswamy was “whatever ethnicity you are ‘splaining to me about what it’s like to be black in America.”
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“I’ll tell you what I am: I’m an Indian American. I’m proud of it. But I think we should have this debate. Black, white — doesn’t matter. On the content of the ideas,” the candidate responded.
The appearance was then ended abruptly by Lemon.