Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon is reportedly planning to divulge details about his experience working with the network following his abrupt exit. Lemon announced that he’d been let go from CNN without warning in a post shared on Twitter on April 24.
The devoted journalist has worked for the network from 2006 until 2023 and hosted “Don Lemon Tonight” for eight years. He also co-hosted “CNN This Morning” with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow after his prime time show was canceled.
Radar Online reports it was told by an unnamed source that Lemon is still upset with how the network he has dedicated years to handled his departure. He reportedly is now threatening to expose CNN executives who “threw him under the bus” in a tell-all book.
The report contends Lemon’s time at the network was nearing an end for at least one year prior to his departure. His prime time show was canceled last fall, and he allegedly was not happy to be co-hosting a failing morning show with Collins and Harlow.
Related: Fans Call Rick Ross ‘Disrespectful’ After He Jokingly Offers Ousted CNN Host Don Lemon a Job
“Don feels like he’s been a [good soldier] at CNN and that he’s a scapegoat for the failure of the morning show he was forced to co-host with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins,” the source told the outlet. “He’s looking for payback!”
The source said Lemon plans to “reveal where the bodies are buried” and expose his colleagues by shining “a damaging spotlight on execs and anchors whose behavior is WORSE than his.”
The outlet also alleged that an insider claimed Lemon may have breached his contract by announcing his departure before a joint statement was released and that it could affect his contract payout.
Lemon said he was “stunned” to learn he was being terminated from CNN by his agent on April 24.
“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” he wrote in a post on Twitter at the time. “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. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
Reports say Lemon signed a $25 million contract in September with CNN but now has hired an attorney after the network publicly disputed claims that he had been terminated without warning. The company claims the 57-year-old had been offered a chance to meet with his superiors but he chose to air his frustrations on social media instead.
“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
The New York Times reported that Lemon’s remarks about 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley not being “in her prime” and an on-air exchange with another Republican presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, that turned into a heated debate about Black history, helped seal his fate at the network.
Republicans and others have said worse things, and you didn’t say or do anything. But when a black person says something they’re wrong.
C N N was wrong. When you allow people to say things and you don’t push back is how and why some people believe every foolish thing said. I am a black woman and Mr. Lemon was right to push back with ( Ramaswarmy) another presidential candidate talking about something he knows nothing about.
Don Lemon did nothing wrong when he called-out Vivek Ramaswamy for speaking about something he knew nothing about. As an African-American woman, let me remind all those PRIVILEDGED FOLKS who want to talk about things they know nothing about I say, “until you live in my skin and face the racism and injustices that we, as African-Americans in this country, have faced and are still facing every day” why don’t you research and study your own BARBARIC HISTORY before you try to speak for me and mine.
I think that Don Lemon was definitely treated unfairly. If they had concerns about his behavior or whatever they should have sat down and talked to him in person like adult professionals.. Don was an uncompromising advocate for his people, meaning us. He did it in a professional, and non-biased way regards to what the powers that be said. I too am tired of non-Black people acting like they know more about what we should do or how we should do it or when we should do it when they are totally clueless.
It was very unfair to fire Don Lemon.. he was just DOING HIS JOB!!! They’ve been trying to get rid of him since they let Chris Coumo go.., another foul move from CNN.. sad..
It is so obvious that right wing idiots have taken over CNN. Dismissing Don Lemon with no just cause proves how low CNN is willing to go to suppress freedom of speech and liberal ideals.
I agree with all of the above listed comments.!!!!
White people or so called privileged people continue to think they have the authority to speak on the black experience and what is best for us or what we should do! Until they have lived in my skin and experience my stuff ,I strongly suggest they stay in their lane and speak what they know.!!!!!!
If Don Lemon feels to be disrespected by the network he should have a day to speak on his persepective. If he feels he should be redeemed and treated with more professionalism then crown him King for the day and let the man have at. I can’t wait for this tell all books release. I wouldn’t mind hearing his perspective. He has been at it for a while.