CNN host Don Lemon said Monday that he has been terminated by the network after 17 years.
In a statement shared on social media, Lemon said he was “stunned” and that no one from the network told him directly about his employment status.
“I was informed by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” Lemon said in a statement shared on social media.
“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have 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.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
CNN disputed the account in a statement on Twitter.
“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” news network officials said. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
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
In a statement to colleagues shared earlier Monday, CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht confirmed that Lemon and the network “have parted ways,” though he did not give a reason for the split.
“Don will forever be part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” he said. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
Don Lemon OUT at CNN. Here is the note from Chris Licht. pic.twitter.com/9zfcaXwQ5s
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) April 24, 2023
Lemon began hosting “CNN This Morning” on Nov. 1 alongside anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. He earlier served as the host for the primetime show “Don Lemon Tonight.”
He drew criticism in December after saying that the U.S. women’s national soccer team makes less money than the men’s team “because people are more interested in the men.” In February, he faced widespread condemnation after saying that GOP presidential hopeful and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley “isn’t in her prime,” defining that period of a woman’s life as “in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
Lemon, 57, later apologized and said he was “committed to doing better.”
Executives at CNN later decided to let Lemon go after finding that his popularity with audiences had waned, The New York Times reported, citing an unidentified source. Bookers for the network also learned in recent weeks that some guests did not want to appear with the host on-air, according to the newspaper.
Lemon joined CNN in 2006.
News of his exit came on the same day that Fox News announced that it had parted ways with popular primetime host Tucker Carlson.
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