Colleagues described Lemon as convinced he was the primary host of the show - a conviction his co-hosts and network executives did not share. Lemon later apologized, saying at an editorial meeting with CNN colleagues that he understood "why people found it completely misguided."Īfter Chris Licht became CNN's CEO in 2022, Lemon left his prime-time slot at the network and joined daytime anchor Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, chief White House correspondent, to helm a new show, CNN This Morning. In addition to the morning show, Lemon had reported from Memphis earlier this year in the aftermath of the police beating death of Tyre Nichols.Media CNN's Don Lemon apologizes for sexist remarks about Nikki Haleyĭuring an episode of CNN This Morning in February, Lemon said the 51-year-old Haley wasn't "in her prime" and suggested a woman is "considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s." Don was the first one to go, ‘I am tired of having to set my hair on fire every night. Lemon was at times outspoken and even polarizing in that role, but it was a different era for the network under then-CEO Jeff Zucker.ĬNN boss Chris Licht, who took over at the network last May, said at a recent Semafor event that Lemon is “lightning rod, because he really came to prominence during an era where that was celebrated and encouraged in primetime. Lemon previously headlined his own nightly primetime show, known for its mix of news interviews, opinion and commentary. This is according to a memo that was sent out to CNN employees just moments ago.” “CNN’s Oliver Darcy is back with us – Oliver, what do you know?” Darcy began: “Uh, some shocking news again, John, in the world of cable news: Don Lemon and CNN have parted ways. That is a distant third to its cable news rivals, Fox & Friends and Morning Joe.ĬNN’s John King revealed the Lemon news on his Inside Politics show. “Want to share with you some important news right here at our own network,” he said. CNN This Morning averaged 359,000 viewers in its time slot in the first quarter, with an additional 78,000 viewing on an HLN simulcast. Executives were said to be concerned by research showing the situation was not improving. In promoting the morning show, the network had emphasized the chemistry among the three hosts, yet there were reports of tense off-air moments between Lemon and Collins. More recently, Lemon clashed with GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, in the type of heated debate that has been a hallmark of cable news but is a contrast to a softer tone that the network has aimed for in the mornings. Speculation over CNN’s decision also centered on other incidents. In February, in a conversation about Haley, Lemon drew an outcry for comments on when women were “in their prime.” He took several days off the show before apologizing and agreeing to participate in formal training. But even as executives insist that the show needs more time to gestate given morning viewing habits, Lemon has been the source of some controversy. The ratings, though, have been far from spectacular, and the network since has replaced its executive producer. Lemon was moved to the morning hours in November, paired with Harlow and Collins as part of a revamped morning show. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.” Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. The network initially announced the split with Lemon with a statement: “CNN and Don Lemon have parted ways. Lemon was fired without cause and had a contract that lasted through the end of 2026, according to two sources. Freedman did not respond to request for comment about now representing Lemon, who has also retained a PR team. He has retained Bryan Freedman, the Los Angeles attorney who has previously handled the exits of other high-profile news figures like Chris Cuomo and Megyn Kelly, according to a source. Lemon was said to have had “no idea” his dismissal was coming, especially since it looked as if he had weathered a recent furor over comments he made about presidential candidate Nikki Haley, as well as the upheaval from Discovery’s new ownership of the network. RELATED: Tucker Carlson & Don Lemon Exits Draw Strong Reactions From ‘The View’ Hosts, Sean Hannity, ‘The Daily Show’ & Many More He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
After that tweet, CNN said in a statement: “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate.
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