The former primetime host allegedly 'screamed' at his co-host during an ugly incident following the show's December 8, 2022 broadcast as he accused her of 'interrupting' him on air.
- Feb 3, 2023
AceShowbiz - Don Lemon reportedly lashed out at his "CNN This Morning" co-host Kaitlan Collins. If a new report is to be believed, the TV personality "screamed" at his co-host during an ugly December 2022 incident that has left the cast and crew worried ever since.
Two sources spilled to New York Post that Don was mad at Kaitlan and approached her following the show's December 8, 2022 broadcast. The 56-year-old anchor later unloaded on his 30-year-old workmate in front of staffers as he accused her of "interrupting" him on air.
"Don screamed at Kaitlan, who was visibly upset and ran out of the studio," one source said of the incident. It was also reported that the explosive fight was brought up to CNN CEO Chris Licht, who was allegedly appalled by Don's behavior.
The second source, meanwhile, said a producer talked to Don at the behest of Chris. The anchor was told to take the next day off to "cool off."
The two and fellow co-host Poppy Harlow were allegedly supposed to get drinks and arrive together at a White House Christmas party for the press the following night. However, the pre-party gathering never happened and they went to the bash separately. According to the insider, Don had a late-night dinner with his agent, Jay Sures, after the party.
Following the dustup, Kaitlan and Don have been on set together less frequently. He was most recently sent to Memphis to quarterback coverage on the death of Tyre Nichols. Meanwhile, Kaitlan had been working remotely from Washington DC on and off in January.
"At this point, Kaitlan wants to be on set with Don as little as possible," a source said of Kaitlan, who was most recently served as CNN's youngest chief White House correspondent. "It's messy."
The second source went on to note that "Don has been given notes" by the show's producers "to not talk so much, to let other people talk." The informant continued, "Don's a bossy guy and difficult to work with - even he would admit that. He was a solo act before. He doesn't want to be in Destiny's Child."
Another source close to Don confirmed the former primetime anchor ws "not happy" about sharing the limelight with Poppy and Kaitlan. "Don has an intractable ego," a source claimed. "My understanding is he wants the show to be about him. I don't know how you fix that. It's a very difficult situation."
A representative for the network refused to comment on the incident. However, it said, "In just three months, these anchors have created a compelling morning show that breaks news and drives the conversation."
The off-air fight wasn't the only drama on "CNN This Morning" which launched on November 1, 2022. Prior to that, Don got into an awkward dispute with his two co-hosts on air as they were arguing that the U.S. men's soccer team should get paid more than the women's team despite the mens' relative lack of success at the World Cup.
