It said: “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. “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.”ĬNN did not say why Lemon had left but it did dispute his version of events. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. Staff writer Stephen Battaglio contributed to this report.“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” Lemon, 57, wrote on Twitter not long after appearing on CNN This Morning, the revamped show he co-hosted with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. “I would like to see CNN evolve back to the kind of journalism that it started with, and actually have journalists, which would be unique and refreshing,” said cable TV pioneer and major Discovery shareholder John Malone on CNBC in 2021, before the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. The goal was to attract more conservatives to the network. Discovery brought Licht in from CBS last year and tasked him with tempering CNN’s most outspoken anchors. The distraction added to the network’s woes, which had been roiled for months by layoffs, cost-cutting and the 2022 ouster of the network’s longtime leader Jeff Zucker, who had long been one of Lemon’s biggest champions at the network.ĬNN’s owners Warner Bros. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime - sorry - when a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s, maybe 40s.”Ĭo-anchor Harlow interjected, telling Lemon to “wait,” and asked a couple of times, “Prime for what?” “She says politicians, or something, are not in their prime. “All the talk about age makes me uncomfortable - I think it’s a wrong road to go down,” Lemon began. But Lemon’s attempt to attack one type of ageism went awry. Lemon was trying to critique Haley’s statements that political leaders over 75 should undergo competency testing. Lemon’s sexist remarks also fomented anger among CNN’s female employees. The uproar over his remarks about Haley prompted conservatives to pile on the network, which has been attempting to move to the political center after enduring much criticism from former President Trump and his allies. The move proved to be an awkward fit for Lemon. There, Lemon was paired with fellow personalities Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. Last September, Licht dispatched Lemon to Britain after Queen Elizabeth II died and he anchored broadcasts from Scotland.īut earlier this year, Licht moved Lemon to the mornings as part of a high-stakes makeover of the early morning show. He was called on to provide signature coverage of CNN’s New Years celebrations and other high-profile events. Lemon also helped CNN provide breaking news coverage throughout the day, including Floyd’s first memorial service. The Louisiana native, who joined CNN in 2006 and is the only Black cable news anchor in prime time, is clearly energized by having a role in shaping the current national discourse on race relations. “This is my time to be me on TV.”Ĭompany Town As a nation looks for answers on George Floyd, CNN’s Don Lemon steps up “I feel like I found my voice and found my groove,” Lemon told The Times in June 2020. Viewers responded positively his prime-time show drew nearly 2.5 million people. He used his platform to help shape the national discourse on race relations. “Where are you? Why aren’t you fighting for these young people? If you don’t do it now, when are you going to do it?” Lemon demanded. He moved into CNN’s prime-time lineup in 2014 and was key in the network’s coverage of the protests in Ferguson, Mo., after a police officer was not indicted for the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager.Īs the only African American cable news anchor in prime-time, Lemon’s profile grew even larger in 2020 in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police officers.Īs protesters spilled into the streets, Lemon called on Hollywood celebrities to publicly voice their support. He encouraged others to speak candidly about their sexual orientation, saying “there’s a degree of deception in silence.” In his 2011 book, “Transparent,” Lemon came out as gay and discussed the stigmas of being a gay Black man. He generated fans for being outspoken about often-culturally taboo topics. The Louisiana native, who joined CNN in 2006, became a popular figure during his eight years in the network’s prime-time lineup. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.” “With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play,” Lemon 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,” Lemon wrote.
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