'I am stunned': 'This Morning' anchor Don Lemon abruptly terminated from CNN after 17 years amid controversies
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Don Lemon has been abruptly fired from CNN, where he worked for 17 years. The CNN 'This Morning' host said that the broadcaster's move has left him "stunned" as he claimed that he was not informed directly about the termination.
With no specific reasons provided, CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht provided a statement announcing Lemon's departure from the company. Licht stated in the note that "CNN and Don have parted ways," and added that "Don will forever be part of the CNN family and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on his future endeavors." Licht added that without Lemon, CNN is committed to continuing the morning show," reported News Week.
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After the news of his termination broke out, the fired veteran journalist shared his message on Twitter expressing that he was shocked to learn about the broadcaster's decision and conveying his frustration at not being informed directly. On Monday, Lemon tweeted, stating, "I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN."
"I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had 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," Lemon tweeted.
The anchor further added saying, "It is clear that there are some larger issues at play. With that said, 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."
Don Lemon was censured for his 'sexist' comments
In 2006, Lemon joined CNN and hosted 'Don Lemon Tonight,' a nightly news program that was aired from 2014 to 2022. He then began co-hosting CNN 'This Morning' in November 2022 alongside Poppy Harlow and Kaitlin Collins until his termination on Monday. The famed journalist topped the headlines mostly for his alleged misogynistic behavior at CNN.
He recently made a sexist comment suggesting that Nikki Haley, who is running for president, is not in her prime because she is 51 years old. "This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think it’s the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians or something, are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in prime in her '20s and '30s and maybe '40s," Lemon said.
Among many of his other controversies was a 2014 incident where he told a Bill Cosby accuser that the alleged victim should have stopped the attack by "biting the comedian's penis." Following the controversy over his misogynistic remarks about Haley, he was censured for his "unacceptable" and "sexist" comments. The anchor then apologized for his remarks and stated that he was "committed to doing better."