The media landscape was shaken on Monday, April 24, 2023, as CNN abruptly announced the departure of long-time anchor Don Lemon. After 17 years with the network, Lemon revealed he was “stunned” by the news, stating he learned of his termination through his agent, not directly from CNN management. This sudden exit has prompted widespread speculation about Why Was Don Lemon Fired, especially considering his prominent role and recent controversies.
CNN’s official statement indicated they had “parted ways” with Lemon, co-host of CNN This Morning, and wished him well. The timing of this announcement, coinciding with Fox News’ dismissal of Tucker Carlson, amplified the shockwaves across the media industry. Lemon himself alluded to “larger issues at play,” hinting at more than just a standard contract dispute. His firing has ignited discussions around media accountability, on-air conduct, and the evolving dynamics of cable news.
Lemon’s departure follows a series of controversies that had been mounting in recent months. Most notably, his on-air remarks about Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley sparked significant backlash. In February 2023, Lemon asserted that Haley, age 51, was “not in her prime,” suggesting a woman’s prime is typically in her 20s, 30s, and perhaps 40s. These comments were swiftly condemned as sexist and drew criticism from various quarters, including Michelle Yeoh, who subtly referenced the remarks in her Oscar acceptance speech. Haley herself responded on social media, seemingly linking Lemon’s firing to his earlier comments, tweeting “It’s a great day for women everywhere,” and using the hashtag “#StillInMyPrime”.
Prior to the Haley incident, a Variety report in April 2023 further tarnished Lemon’s reputation, detailing accusations of misogynistic behavior towards female colleagues at CNN. The report alleged instances of Lemon calling a producer “fat,” mimicking and mocking another colleague, and sending threatening texts to a different coworker. While Lemon’s representative denied these allegations, they contributed to a growing perception of a problematic work environment surrounding the anchor. Past controversies, such as his comments in the fall of 2022 suggesting the US men’s soccer team deserved higher pay than the women’s team because they were “more interesting to watch,” also resurfaced, painting a picture of recurring insensitive remarks.
Despite these controversies, Lemon had been a fixture at CNN for nearly two decades. He hosted Don Lemon Tonight for over eight years before transitioning to co-host CNN This Morning in November 2022. However, reports indicated that CNN This Morning had been struggling in ratings, trailing behind competitors like Fox News’ Fox & Friends and MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Furthermore, after the Nikki Haley comments, sources within CNN told the New York Times that guests became reluctant to appear on the show with Lemon, suggesting a potential impact on the program’s appeal and credibility.
In the aftermath of his firing, Lemon has reportedly hired entertainment lawyer Bryan Freedman to address his contract with CNN, which was reportedly set to run until 2026. CNN, in a follow-up statement, disputed Lemon’s account of events, asserting he was offered an opportunity to meet with management, contradicting Lemon’s claim of no direct communication. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation via social media, referring to Lemon as the “dumbest man on television,” adding another layer of public scrutiny to the already complex narrative.
While CNN has not explicitly stated the definitive reason why Don Lemon was fired, the confluence of on-air missteps, accusations of workplace misconduct, declining show ratings, and potential legal disputes paints a picture of a network seeking to recalibrate its image and address internal concerns. Lemon’s departure marks the end of an era at CNN and raises broader questions about the future of opinionated anchors in an increasingly sensitive media environment.
