If you’re curious about why Don Lemon left CNN, read this article and learn more.
Who is Don Lemon?
Don Lemon, a popular American television journalist, gained fame as a CNN host from 2014 to 2023. He began his journalistic career in Baton Rouge in Louisiana on March 1, 1996, by hosting weekend news shows on local television in Alabama and Pennsylvania.
He then worked as a correspondent for NBC and appeared on shows like Today and NBC Nightly News. Lemon began his career as a CNN correspondent in 2006. He later became the host and producer of Don Lemon Tonight which ran from 2014 to 2020.
Before his termination in April 2023, Lemon co-hosted CNN This Morning alongside Kaitlan Collins. Lemon has won numerous awards throughout his career including the Edward R. Murrow award and three regional Emmy Awards.
Don Lemon fired from CNN?
Don Lemon announced on Twitter that he was fired by CNN on Monday after 17 years of service. He said that his agent informed him and expressed surprise at the fact that management hadn’t told him directly.
In a press release, the network confirmed this news. Lemon appeared on CNN This Morning earlier that day, before his firing. Some reports suggest that Lemon’s firing was linked to accusations of mistreatment against female colleagues and sexist comments on air.
Why did Don Lemon leave CNN?
Don Lemon was stunned by the news that he would be leaving CNN after 17 years. CNN stated that Lemon, who hosted its morning show with him, was “parting ways”. They wished Lemon well. Lemon was accused of misogyny, and of misbehavior. He was criticized for his on-air comments in which he said that Republican Nikki Haley wasn’t “in her prime.”
The New York Times reported that tensions between Lemon, corporate executives and CNN journalists grew. His popularity has also reportedly decreased, which could indicate a CNN news revamp ahead of the presidential campaign in 2024. The viewers were also made uncomfortable by a contentious interview conducted with a guest.
Although the exact conditions of Lemon’s departure from CNN remain unclear, it seems that there wasn’t a golden handshake. Both Lemon and Tucker Carlson of Fox News have hired the exact same lawyer to deal with the terms and conditions for their departures.
Why did Don Lemon leave Fox CNN?
Don Lemon has indeed been fired by CNN as he confirmed on his Twitter page. He expressed his disappointment and surprise at not having been contacted by executives directly. CNN confirmed Lemon’s departure via a memo from CEO Chris Licht. The memo stated that Lemon and CNN had parted.
Don Lemon tweeted on April 24, 2023 that he was fired from CNN. He was surprised that the network executives informed him through his agent and not in person.
The New York Times reported CNN was having difficulty booking guests to appear with Lemon on air, and that viewer polls showed a decline in Lemon’s popularity. CNN, however, denied Lemon’s claim that they hadn’t tried to contact him. They stated that a meeting was offered to him before his tweet.
Where is Don Lemon going?
Don Lemon’s future plans are unclear after his departure from CNN, in April 2023. Lemon was to co-anchor CNN’s new morning show with Kaitlan Collins, Poppy Harlow, and Lemon himself, but that announcement came on September 15, 2022. On October 12, 2022, the show was renamed CNN This Morning. His tenure as a host ended abruptly when he was fired from CNN. There is currently no information available about his next move.
Don Lemon Salary
Don Lemon was estimated to be worth $31 million. Lemon’s contract with CNN included a reported salary of $10 million and a $2 million bonus. He was popular among Democrats, which helped him attract a record number viewers while at CNN. This contributed to his networth growing at a rate 45% in the last two years.
Lemon’s networth has increased significantly since his early career. In 2010, Lemon’s net worth was only reported at $1 million. It is now well over $30 millions, almost a 30 fold increase. His high-paying job at CNN where he earned an estimated $4 million per year is a major source of wealth. Yahoo News estimates Lemon’s net worth at around $12 million.