Why was Don Lemon fired by CNN? Veteran news anchor let go after 17 years
The TV news veteran was let go by the news giant on April 24, 2023 after 17 years of service, in a shocking move that not even Lemon saw coming
The same day that right-winged journalist Tucker Carlson parted ways with the conservative news giant FOX News, CNN decided to end its relationship with Lemon in April 2023. The TV veteran announced his departure on Twitter:
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. 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. 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 work.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
CNN announced the dismissal of Lemon on their Communication Twitter account by thanking him for his service over the 17 years he was with the media corporation.
CNN and Don have parted ways. Don will forever 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 endeavors.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
But after Lemon posted his tweet, claiming he was in shock and had no news or contact from management, the CNN Corporate account answered 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.”
Lemon was not happy with the way his employer has handled the situation.
While CNN's internal memo says "CNN and Don have parted ways," @donlemon is being much more explicit: He was terminated pic.twitter.com/PgsAHIXbiF
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 24, 2023
Why did CNN fire the 17-year veteran TV news anchor?
Although, apparently Lemon didn’t see the firing coming, others in the industry had hinted that some of his remarks lately regarding female politicians may have been considered appropriate and even politically incorrect.
In February 2023 Lemon had made a comment about Nikki Haley, the 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate, who he claimed wasn’t “in her prime.” He later agreed to a corporate training session aimed at working on his behavior while in front of the camera.
The New York Times reports that tension began to grow in the CNN newsroom between Lemon, corporate executives and fellow journalists. That, added to the fact that his popularity had dropped, point to a possible makeover in CNN news ahead of the 2024 presidential campaign that is slowly, but surely, ramping up.
NYT mentions this interview as well, in which things get personal between Lemon and his guest. The argument is cringe-worthy and makes viewers uncomfortable as the CNN anchor vehemently disagrees with the on-air guest.
according to the NYT this interview that Don Lemon conducted last week with Vivek Ramaswamy played a role in his firing. Note co-host Poppy Harlow sitting silently while Lemon goes after Vivek. pic.twitter.com/Fjx5eX30wU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 24, 2023
The conditions of Lemon’s exit from CNN are not available at the moment, but it looks like no golden handshake was made between the two parties. Ironically, the CNN host and his Fox News competitor, Tucker Carlson, have hired the same attorney to handle the terms and conditions of their respective departures.
I'm told that both Tucker Carlson AND Don Lemon have retained the famously aggressive entertainment lawyer Bryan Freedman. I have reached out to Freedman; no response yet.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 24, 2023
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