Don Lemon’s colleagues react after he was ‘fired’ from CNN – latest updates

Lemon’s firing coincided with that of another US media giant: Tucker Carlson.

Insiders say Carlson was “blindsided” by his removal from Fox News after eight years on the network.

The Nikki Haley scandal was not Lemon’s first brush with controversy.

He previously came under fire for asking political commentator SE Cupp if she was suffering from “mommy brain”.

His comment was branded “sexist” by viewers.

For The Independent, Clémence Michallon previously argued that the Don Lemon scandal over his infamous Nikki Haley comments was not a scandal at all.

Find out her reasoning here:

Lemon tweeted the news of his departure on Monday.

In a typed statement shared on Twitter, Lemon said no one at CNN had the “decency” to inform him of his departure in advance. CNN said Lemon’s statement is “inaccurate” and that he was, in fact, offered the opportunity to meet with management.

You can read his full, typed statement here:

Michelle Yeoh referenced Lemon’s misogynistic comments at the 2023 Oscars in March.

Lemon had faced backlash for suggesting that 51-year-old presidential candidate Nikki Haley was “past her prime”.

Taking the stage to accept her award for Best Actress, Yeoh told the audience: “Ladies, don’t ever let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up!”

‘Ladies, don’t ever let anyone tell you you are ever past your prime,’ Yeoh said

Before Lemon’s longtime career with CNN, he got his start the same way many anchors do: climbing the news media ladder

Before joining the network 17 years ago, he jumped between several other news anchor gigs

Following his eight-year stint hosting his own show CNN’s Don Lemon Tonight, he was moved to the network’s morning broadcast with co-hosts Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.

However, while he was used to spewing no holds barred commentary on politics – the persona that made him popular among viewers – this made for a difficult transition to CNN This Morning, a show expected to have a peppy tone sans impassioned monologues.

It was revealed that CNN This Morning crew members were shaken by a behind-the-scenes incident in which Lemon blamed Collins for interrupting him too much, according to The New York Times.

Rapper Rick Ross responded to news of Lemon’s CNN firing to offer him a job at Wingstop.

Ross and his family own nearly 30 franchises of the American food chain.

Earlier this month, Lemon strongly denied recent accusations lodged against him, which included claims of workplace misogyny and “diva-like behaviour”.

In a damning report from Variety, several sources alleged he had disrespected CNN co-hosts Nancy Grace and broadcaster Soledad O’Brien, among other things.

Responding to the allegations in a statement to Mediaite, a spokesperson for Lemon said: “The story, which is riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence, is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip. It’s amazing and disappointing that Variety would be so reckless.”

The CNN news anchor said story is based on ‘15-year-old anonymous gossip’

The View’s Sunny Hostin, along with her fellow co-hosts, support Don Lemon, defending his character, following his departure from CNN.

Hostin argued against speculations, which claimed his termination was tied to recent accusations of misogynistic behaviour lodged against him.

“He loves women. He loves his mother. He loved his sister,” the host said.