CNN's Don Lemon speaks at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Institute of Politics© Getty Images

Don Lemon fired from CNN following allegations of misogyny

The CNN This Morning host was with the network for 17 years

Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
April 24, 2023

Don Lemon has parted ways with CNN, according to a statement released by CEO Chris Licht, after 17 years with the network and while under fire for misogynistic and ageist commentary.

"Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years," the statement read. "We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors."

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The longtime TV anchor, who most recently hosted CNN This Morning with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow, shared a statement following the announcement.

He wrote 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."

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He continued: "It is clear that 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."

Don Lemon at CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute© Getty Images
Don was with CNN for 17 years

The news of his termination comes soon after a report published by Variety which alleged that the anchor, 57, made several misogynistic and offensive comments in the workplace.

The TV personality has since denied several of the claims made against him, with a statement by his spokesperson to The Wrap reading: "The story, which is riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence, is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip."

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He also came under fire for comments made on-air back in February about 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, stating that she wasn't "in her prime, sorry."

© Getty Images

"A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s," he continued, leaving his co-hosts Kaitlan and Poppy stunned.

After an internal warning from the CEO, according to The New York Times, the anchor called into the CNN Newsroom to apologize for his comments.

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