Viewers are still interested in learning why Don Lemon was fired last year. Lemon had worked at CNN for 17 years prior to his firing. However, during his tenure, he had been mired in controversy. So why was Don Lemon fired from CNN?
Here’s everything you need to know about the former CNN host.
Why was Don Lemon fired from CNN?
CNN has not yet given an official reason for Don Lemon’s firing, since the event occurred. However, his controversial comments and alleged misogynistic behavior towards women very likely contributed to his firing.
On April 24, 2023, Lemon took to X (formerly Twitter) to address his firing. Here, he expressed his shock at not getting prior notice. He also added that “some larger issues” were at play. However, he did express gratitude towards his former colleagues he worked with.
CNN disputed Don Lemon’s claims of not getting prior notice before being fired. Taking to X, the organization revealed that Lemon had an opportunity to meet with CNN management to discuss his firing. However, they said, Lemon instead released a statement on the social media platform.
Prior to his firing, Lemon was involved in various controversies. In December 2022, the host said in an episode of the show CNN This Morning that the men’s national soccer team should get paid more than the women’s soccer team, saying men were “more interesting to watch” (via The Daily Beast).
Later in February 2023, Lemon had allegedly “screamed” at co-host Kaitlan Collins and accused her of interrupting him on air during a December 8, 2022 broadcast (via New York Post).
That same month, Lemon also claimed in a February 16 CNN broadcast that former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was 51 years old at the time, was not “in her prime.” According to him, a woman is in her prime “in her 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s.” (via AP News). He later took to X and expressed “regret” over his comments. However, he made no mention of Nikki Haley.
Right around the time of Lemon’s firing, Variety published an article that reported on the former CNN host’s alleged misgoynistic and disrespectful behavior toward women colleagues Kyra Phillips, Nancy Grace and Soledad O’Brien.
However, as per Washington Examiner, Lemon’s representative subsequently fired back at the Variety report, claiming it was based on “unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip.”
