Don Lemon has reportedly been fired from CNN after 17 years, leaving him “stunned”.
His firing follows recent reports about alleged misogynistic behaviour.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Lemon revealed he was informed by his agent, saying “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,” he said.
“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.
“It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
However, CNN responded to Lemon’s statement by saying: “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.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
Who is Don Lemon?
Don Lemon, 57, is a TV journalist from Louisiana, US.
Lemon previously worked for NBC and Fox affiliates before joining CNN in 2006.
He became a host on the network in 2014 and presented Don Lemon Tonight until 2022. He then co-hosted CNN This Morning until he was fired on Monday (April 24).
CNN said of the decision: “CNN and Don have parted ways.
“Don will for ever be a 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 in his future endeavours.”
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.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
Misogyny claims
CNN has not shared the reasoning behind its decision to let Lemon go. But his dismissal follows a string of controversies in recent months.
Earlier in April, a number of current or former CNN employees alleged that Lemon had behaved inappropriately.
A Variety article documented the alleged incidents, which Mr Lemon’s representative dismissed as “15-year-old anonymous gossip”.
CNN said that it had been “unable to corroborate the alleged accounts”.
In February, Lemon faced a backlash for saying that US presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, “isn’t in her prime.”
He said: “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 their prime in their twenties and thirties and maybe forties.”
In December 2022, Lemon was criticised for his comments on women’s pay in sports.
On CNN This Morning, he said: “I know everyone’s gonna hate me, but the men’s team makes more money. If they make more money, then they should get more money.
“The men’s team makes more money because you know what, because people are more interested in the men.”
