Don Lemon Has Been Fired By CNN After 17 Years

CNN Sacks News Anchor Don Lemon After 17 Years

CNN has parted ways with longtime host Don Lemon. The announcement Monday came without explanation and astonished the media industry.

“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” said CNN CEO Chris Licht in a memo to staff.

In a statement posted to his Twitter account, Lemon said his agent told him Monday morning that he had been terminated by CNN.

pic.twitter.com/8PyLqvS0d7

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023

“I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” Lemon said.

“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.”

CNN called Lemon’s characterization about his firing “inaccurate” and said he was given a chance to meet with management.

The news of Lemon’s departure came shortly after an announcement by Fox News that it had parted ways with popular and controversial host Tucker Carlson.