Who is Don Lemon and why was he fired from CNN?

Don Lemon, a long-time celebrity anchor with CNN, was fired from the network on April 24, in what came as a surprise for the American media industry. Lemon himself stated on Twitter that CNN's management did not have the "decency" to inform his removal to him in person. However, CNN refuted the accusations. 

If you've ever watched CNN, you would have seen Don Lemon on air. He's one of the most recognisable faces of CNN. Before being fired, Lemon co-hosted CNN's This Morning programme. He was with CNN for the last 17 years.

Don Lemon's exit from CNN comes alongside another American celebrity TV host Tucker Carlson's exit from Fox News, who was more or less the face of the conservative network. 

Who said what:

In an initial statement, CNN said it had parted ways with Don Lemon and that they wish him well in his future endeavors.

CNN and Don have parted ways. Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023

However, Don Lemon did not seem to share the same sentiment with CNN about "parting ways". He said that he was stunned at being removed and that he heard the news from his agent. 

pic.twitter.com/8PyLqvS0d7

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023

CNN rebutted the claims saying that Lemon was given an opportunity to meet with the management but instead, he chose to release a statement on Twitter.

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.

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023

Why was Don Lemon let go? 

Don Lemon's termination by CNN comes as a surprise, but he's been embroiled in several controversies for a while. Lemon's short stint as a co-host at This Morning show was disastrous for the network. 

• The most recent controversy related to Lemon was with regard to his on-air sexist comments against Nikki Haley, former UN ambassador and 2024 Republican Presidential candidate.
• In February this year, Lemon argued that Nikki Haley, who is 51 years old "isn't in her prime" while trying to rebut her proposal that older politicians take competency tests.

Here is a clip from the show: 

CNN: Don Lemon - Nikki Haley pic.twitter.com/xqkF5fRCL1

— Pastor A.B. Harris (@pastorabharris) April 24, 2023

• Don Lemon also said that a woman is considered in her prime only in her 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s. 
• His co-hosts Harlow and Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins pushed back against the comments which only made Lemon double down on his point. 
• Don Lemon was forced to apologise for the comments and was also made to take formal training before returning to the show. 

• The controversy was even referenced by Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh during her best actress acceptance speech.

Thank you to Michelle Yeoh for ending Don Lemon 🙌🏼☕️ https://t.co/C1PMzDO4pA pic.twitter.com/6rjVpkjw9M

— Albie (Housewives & Madonna Super Fan) (@_MANDONNA_) April 24, 2023

Controversies beyond Nikki Haley

However, Don Lemon's controversies go further back than his February comments against Nikki Haley. A Variety report earlier this month accused Lemon of fostering misogyny, threatening messages, mocking female co-workers, and "diva-like behaviour" during his time at CNN. 

• Other than disrespecting many of his female co-workers, Variety said he also sent Kyra Phillips (then co-host with Lemon on "Live From") threatening messages after she was sent on an assignment to Iraq that Lemon coveted. 

• Lemon also reportedly ransacked Philips's desk after she went to Iraq. 
• Goldie Taylor, a former CNN consultant who appeared frequently on Lemon's weekend show, told Variety that whenever Lemon said something offensive, there was a woman on the other side. 

• Taylor, in 2016, had tweeted that she was blacklisted by CNN for criticising Lemon. 
• In 2014, Don Lemon was also criticised for telling an alleged rape victim of Bill Cosby that she could have stopped the attack by biting the comedian's penis. 

Never forget when Don Lemon, a journalist, asked a Bill Cosby victim why she didn’t bite down on his dick when he forced her to give him oral sex. So long, shithead! pic.twitter.com/hGX8bhuwh6

— Sabrina (@Sabrinafon) April 24, 2023

• And then a month into the This Morning show's beginning, Lemon also said that the US men's national soccer team is more interesting to watch than the women's team and that's why the pay gap is justified. 

Variety also reported that at one point Don Lemon began a relationship with a "fresh-out-of-college staffer" despite their major age difference and power imbalance. At the time, Lemon who is gay wasn't out of the closet, but "wasn't hiding it either". 

Don Lemon denies the accusations reported by Variety saying that the report is "riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence". 

On the other hand, Lemon's ousting also comes amid the abysmal ratings of his show, a change of management, and CNN trying hard to keep up with the younger generation's preference for streaming services over cable networks. CNN also killed CNN+, its streaming app, just mere weeks after its launch. CNN also laid off several employees recently as its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery pushed for more efficiency in the network's operations.