Don Lemon has tried to put on a brave face since he was demoted from his self-titled solo primetime show to a small part of a morning show’s ensemble cast.
But it was clear from the beginning that things were never as rosy as he made them seem.
And now Don Lemon finally got what’s been coming to him in the form of one life-altering surprise.
On Monday, Don Lemon was finally fired by CNN after 17 years with the low-rated cable news network.
Lemon’s former CNN This Morning co-hosts, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, opened their Tuesday morning broadcast with a send-off that gave off the impression that the pair wanted to get the news out of the way as quickly as possible.
That’s likely especially true for Collins, who was the victim of Lemon’s temper and ego multiple times throughout their short-lived run on-air together.
“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” Harlow said, reading a pre-written statement from a teleprompter. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavours.”
If the network’s hosts were putting on a happy face, Lemon’s demeanor was far less upbeat.
He put out a statement on Twitter saying he was left “stunned” after being informed by his agent that CNN had allegedly terminated his contract without informing him.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” Lemon’s statement read. “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 play,” he continued. “I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
CNN disputed Lemon’s version of events, releasing a statement that said, “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 had recently been reprimanded by CNN’s management, who directed him to attend “formal training” in light of sexist comments he made on-air in regards to longshot Republican Presidential nominee Nikki Haley not being “in her prime.”
Haley proceeded to dunk on Lemon on Twitter in the wake of his firing, tweeting that it’s “a great day for women everywhere. Now, let’s get men out of women’s sports. #StillInMyPrime”
A great day for women everywhere. Now, let's get men out of women’s sports. #StillInMyPrime https://t.co/u1KKBf4JRT pic.twitter.com/bLJXUSixkS
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) April 24, 2023
News of Don Lemon’s departure was one of two major shake ups in cable news this week.
Also on Monday morning, Fox News fired the most popular primetime cable news host in America, Tucker Carlson, even though they attempted to make it seem like an amicable “parting of ways.”
US Political Daily will keep you updated on any developments to this ongoing story.
