CNN let go This Morning co-host Don Lemon on Monday afternoon, a move that left the veteran reporter “stunned.”
News of Lemon’s departure from CNN came shortly after noon EST, with CNN providing a statement to Newsweek from Chairman and CEO Chris Licht.
No reason was given for the decision in Licht’s memo, with the company chief saying Lemon would “be part of the CNN family forever.”
“CNN and Don have separated,” read Licht’s post. “Don will always be part of the CNN family and we thank him for his contribution over the past 17 years. We wish him good luck and will encourage him in his future projects. »
CNN anchor Don Lemon arrives at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala at the Hilton Midtown in New York City on December 6, 2022.
The network dropped the CNN This Morning co-host on Monday afternoon , a move that left the veteran journalist “stunned”.
Lemon, in his post shared on Twitter shortly after noon, expressed shock at the news, calling it a “termination.” Lemon also expressed his frustration at hearing the news from his agent.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I was terminated by CNN,” Lemon wrote. “I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought someone from management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I given the slightest indication that I would not be able to continue doing the work that I loved at the network.
“Clearly there are bigger issues at play. That said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I worked with for an incredible race. They are the most talented journalists in the industry, and I wish them all the best. »
Don Leon the beginnings
Lemon joined CNN in 2006 and later hosted his own nightly news program, Don Lemon Tonight, from 2014 to 2022. In November, he began co-hosting CNN This Morning alongside Kaitlin Collins and Poppy Harlow. In his statement, Licht said CNN is committed to continuing the morning show without Lemon.
