Don Lemon accused of misogyny weeks before CNN exit: His history of controversial comments
Don Lemon says he's been fired from his post at CNN's "CNN This Morning," which he co-anchored with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow for about six months.
Lemon's firing comes weeks after he was accused of making offensive comments about women on air.
The former anchor, who was on air Monday morning, shared the news in a statement on Twitter.
"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned," he wrote.
CNN CEO Chris Licht said in a statement that the network wishes him well and will cheer him on as he pursues future endeavors, echoing what he wrote in an email to CNN staffers obtained by USA TODAY.
Don Lemon says he's been fired by CNN, network disputes details
April 2023: Don Lemon fired from CNN
CNN's Licht told staffers Monday, "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."
He added: "CNN This Morning has been on the air for nearly six months, and we are committed to its success."
Lemon expressed frustration with the manner in which he says the news was delivered to him.
"After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly," Lemon added in his tweet. "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 there are some larger issues at play. With that said, 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."
CNN's communications Twitter account said Lemon's public assertions about his termination are not true.
"Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate," CNN said. "He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter."
After more than eight years as a prime-time host, Lemon on Nov. 1 was moved along with Harlow and Collins to the relaunched "CNN Mornings," the replacement for "New Day," as part of a revamp by Licht. But ratings for the new show have been dismal.
Lemon joined the network in September 2006.
April 2023: Don Lemon's former colleagues speak out on alleged misogyny
A lengthy report, published by Variety on April 5, alleged the anchor has disrespected former colleagues including Nancy Grace and Soledad O’Brien in a number of public settings including on air and in editorial meetings. Variety interviewed more than a dozen former and current colleagues, many of whom were quoted anonymously.
The report also included details on Lemon's alleged offenses to Kyra Phillips, with whom he co-anchored CNN's "Live From" in 2008. Phillips declined to comment on these allegations to Variety.
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A rep for Lemon told USA TODAY on April 5 that Variety's story was "riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence." The report "is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip," Lemon's rep added. "It’s amazing and disappointing that Variety would be so reckless."
A spokesperson for CNN added that the news network is "unable to corroborate the alleged accounts" contained in the report.
Variety's report isn't the first time Lemon has been accused of sexist comments. Here's what he's said in the past.
February 2023: Don Lemon said Nikki Haley wasn't 'in her prime'
Lemon's most recent controversial comments came during an on-air discussion in February with co-hosts Harlow and Collins about Haley's presidential campaign announcement and her call for "mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old."
Lemon said the "talk about age" makes him uncomfortable and said her comments were the "wrong road" to go down.
"She says people, politicians are not in their prime," he said. "Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s."
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His co-host Harlow asked him to clarify what he meant by "prime" and if he was referring to "prime for childbearing" or "prime for being president."
Lemon responded: "If you Google, 'when is a woman in her prime,' it'll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. … I'm not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that (politicians aren't in their prime)."
Lemon then apologized for his comments after being absent from the show amid the backlash. "To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry. I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better," he tweeted shortly before going back on the air.
December 2022: Don Lemon gets in tiff with co-hosts about women's soccer
In December, Lemon got into a tiff with his co-hosts about compensation in soccer. He argued that the U.S. men's team should be higher compensated than their female counterparts, according to the Daily Beast.
The discussion came on the heels of news that the women's team would be making more money.
"But the men’s team makes more money. If they make more money, then they should get more money," he said. "The men’s team makes more money because people are more interested in the men."
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September 2022: Don Lemon asks S. E. Cupp if she has 'mommy brain'
In September, Lemon drew criticism for asking political commentator Cupp if she had "mommy brain" after she appeared to lose her train of thought while speaking on a panel.
"Is it fair to say this, because I’m not a mommy, but is it mommy brain?" he asked Cupp.
Cupp replied, "No, Don. I just forgot what I was going to say."
November 2014: Don Lemon told Bill Cosby accuser how to avoid being raped
In 2014, Lemon suggested to actress Joan Tarshis who alleged sexual assault by Bill Cosby during an interview how she might've avoided being raped.
"You – you know, there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn't want to do it," he told her on air.
Tarshis responded: "Oh. Um, I was kind of stoned at the time, and quite honestly, that didn't even enter my mind. Now I wish it would have."
Lemon later apologized.
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Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Elise Brisco, Amy Haneline and Edward Segarra
