Don Lemon says he has been fired by CNN: 'I am stunned'
It's been quite a day for cable news firings.
Shortly after the shock announcement that Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News, Don Lemon tweeted that CNN has "terminated" him, which he learned through his agent.
"I am stunned," Lemon said. "After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A reason for Lemon's exit wasn't provided, but it came after he drew backlash in February for saying former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) isn't in her "prime" at age 51. "When a woman is considered to be in her prime [is] in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40," he said. Lemon apologized for the "inartful and irrelevant" comment and was off the air for several days.
In April, Variety then reported on Lemon's alleged "troubling treatment of women and unprofessional antics, dating back nearly two decades." In one incident described in the report, he allegedly sent threatening text messages to a female co-anchor after she received an assignment he wanted.
CNN confirmed it has "parted ways" with Lemon, adding that he "will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years." But CNN also said Lemon's Twitter statement "is inaccurate" because he "was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter."
Lemon joined CNN in 2006. In 2022, he was moved from a prime time show to CNN's new morning programming, which he anchored with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. In his tweet, Lemon claimed that "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," adding that "it is clear that there are some larger issues at play." News of his ouster came just about an hour after Fox News confirmed it has "parted ways" with Tucker Carlson.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published