In a surprising turn of events, Don Lemon, a veteran news anchor, has announced his departure from CNN after a 17-year stint with the network. Lemon took to Twitter to express his shock, stating that he was informed of his termination by his agent and not directly by CNN management.
Lemon, who joined CNN back in 2006, has been a prominent figure on the network, hosting the prime-time show “Don Lemon Tonight” for over eight years. He gained significant attention during Donald Trump’s presidency for his critical commentary on the former Republican president, whom he labeled as a “racist.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
However, the reason behind Lemon’s departure remains unclear. While CNN acknowledged the parting of ways, they claimed that Lemon’s account of the events was “inaccurate.” The network also mentioned that they had offered Lemon a meeting with management, but he chose to release a statement on his personal Twitter account instead.
CNN’s top executive, Chris Licht, expressed gratitude for Lemon’s contributions over the years and wished him well in his future endeavors. He also assured that the show would continue and that the network was dedicated to its success.
Earlier this year, Lemon faced backlash for his controversial remarks about presidential candidate and former US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley. He suggested that at 51 years old, Haley was not “in her prime,” which he defined as a woman’s 20s, 30s, and possibly 40s. Following the incident, Lemon issued a statement expressing regret for his “inartful and irrelevant” comments.
Haley responded to Lemon’s departure from CNN on Twitter, calling it “a great day for women everywhere.” Additionally, former president Donald Trump also chimed in, questioning why it took CNN so long to let Lemon go.
As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Don Lemon and his prime-time show on CNN.
