Don Lemon said he’s “distraught” at his sudden firing from CNN after more than 17 years — but why exactly was the morning anchor fired?
The decision made by the showrunners seemed somewhat reckless at first glance, but any number of missteps Lemon left behind could be the reason for his “abrupt” departure. The troubled anchor was moved from prime time to the morning news but was still unable to generate controversy.
In a statement Monday, CNN claimed it had “parted ways” with Lemon on good terms — though a post from Lemon just minutes earlier seemed to insinuate that the situation was contentious.
Shortly thereafter, CEO Chris Licht spoke of the morning host’s disapproval, writing simply in a note to staff: “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family… We thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years.” He added, “CNN This Morning has been on the air for nearly six months, and we are committed to its success.”
Presented nearly a year after Licht was tapped to replace his ousted predecessor Jeff Zucker, the statement sheds little light on what actually led to Lemon’s exit but serves as confirmation of the latest failed experiment under the former Late Show chief’s watch.
Don Lemon said he’s “distraught” at being fired from CNN after more than 17 years — but why exactly was he fired? The decision came just weeks after he was given paid leave to comment on women, and a host of other on-air incidents that may have played a role in his rejection.
What led to Lemmon’s unofficial exit?
Tasked with weeding out famous personalities like Lemon, named Zucker’s successor last year, Licht has since struggled to fill spots left by disgraced employees like Chris Cuomo, with renewed “trust in the media.”
In the past year, Lemon — even after moving to The Morning from his longtime slot on 10 Midnight in October — appears to have jeopardized that mission, being fired after weeks of paid leave over offensive comments about women.
The incident prompted an on-air apology to Lemon, whose comments saw co-anchors Bobby Harlow and Caitlan Collins walk off the set, and came on the heels of a host of embarrassing incidents that may have played a role in his dismissal.
It included a series of sexual slurs, an interview in which he insulted an alleged rape victim, and wild comments about Hitler and the Nazis.
But still, Monday morning, as the news world was already rocked by Tucker Carlson’s ouster, Lemon said he was “distraught” after learning of the breakup with his agent.
“I would have thought anyone in the administration would have the decency to tell me directly,” said a social media post announcing his dismissal.
He added, “At no time did I give any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work that I loved at the network.”
The statement did not indicate how he would be placed on paid leave due to his remarks in February, which saw him suggesting to female co-workers that GOP nominee Haley, 51, should tread lightly when pushing a suggestion that politicians 75 and older should face. efficiency. the exams.
His reasoning behind the comment, which was given to his outraged colleagues, was that “women are in their prime in their 20s, 30s and maybe 40s,” Haley included. The politician was among those celebrating Lemon’s rejection on Monday.
In a statement on Monday, CNN claimed that she and Lemon “parted ways” on good terms
However, in a post from Lemon just six minutes later, the presenter – who had been moved to The Morning last year before that – seemed to insinuate that the situation was contentious.
Were his remarks about Hayley the final straw?
“She says people, you know, politicians aren’t suddenly in their prime,” Lemon — who is five years older than Haley — said of Haley’s proposal, in comments that criticized not only elderly politicians but women as well.
Nikki Haley is not in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is in her prime in her 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s,” he went on to declare.
And soon Harlow, 40, stepped in and expressed her outrage.
‘what are you talking about?’ asked the co-host of Lemon, New Then, Old Now. “Chief for what?”
Still defending his comments, Lemon would try to explain: “It’s like, ‘The Prime Minister. If you are looking for. If you Google “What is a woman in her prime? You’d say 20s, 30s, 40s.”
“I’m not saying I agree with that… I think she should be careful about saying that, you know, politicians are in their prime.”
However, Harlow remained unconvinced, and continued to tear up Lemon’s remarks.
Are you talking about the prime for childbearing, for example? Or are you talking about the prime minister for being president? Harlow said, to which Lemon replied, “Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just saying what the facts are.”
Added: ‘Google it. Everyone at home, when is a woman in her prime? Say twenties, thirties and forties.
The eerie assertion that the former governor of South Carolina was not in her prime and should be careful using that word to judge other politicians on the spot seemed to alienate the two women, who were at the time still adjusting to their new lives. partner on air.
Eliciting an apology from the presenter a few hours later, the comments also caused Harlow to take a ‘well-timed’ bathroom break, followed by Collins, 31, before the pair returned to finish the show.
The CNN anchor caused notable jitters on his new set in February when he slammed Nikki Haley’s 51-year-old’s suggestion that politicians 75 and over face aptitude tests, causing Representatives Bobby Harlow (left) and Caitlan Collins (left) to walk out. right) group
Hayley is 51 years old. Five-year-old Lemon was forced to apologize after suggesting she was past her prime as a woman – which may have spurred his ouster on Monday.
After Halle – and much of social media – condemned the comments online, Lemon apologized, claiming that his closest associates on the network were all women.
I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean to offend anyone, the veteran news anchor said, adding, “The people they are closest to in this organization are women.”
The official account of ‘The Daily Show’ improves upon Lemon’s sometimes questionable on-air comments, which are often later deemed false.
Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and potential presidential candidate, was among those celebrating Lemon’s cancellation on Monday.
