The television anchor suggests 'there are some larger issues at play' after he was let go by the news network following backlash over comments about Nikki Haley.
- Apr 25, 2023
AceShowbiz - Don Lemon has been sacked by CNN after 17 years following his sexism scandal. Initially taking a temporarily leave from the network in February after he claimed on-air presidential candidate Nikki Haley "isn't in her prime" as a 51-year-old woman, the 57-year-old announced on Monday, April 24 morning he had been sacked.
"After 17 years at CNN I would have thought someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly. 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," he said on Twitter about finding out from his agent he had lost his job.
"It is clear that there are some larger issues at play. With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best."
But CNN's communications team branded his statement as false. It tweeted, "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."
Network CEO Chris Licht confirmed the firing in an internal message, thanking Lemon for 17 years on air and telling staff he would "forever be a part of the CNN family."
Don anchored the morning broadcast on Monday, appearing to have no idea about the fate of his job. He signed off from the show at 8.56 AM on Monday, saying "Bye everyone" and waving, and by 12.14 PM had announced his shock firing.
He was slammed for also saying about presidential candidate Nikki Haley, "A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s. If you Google, 'when is a woman in her prime,' it'll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. I'm not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that (politicians aren't in their prime)."
Don later offered the apology to CNN's staff, "What I said came out wrong and I wish I hadn't said it. I believe women of any age can do anything they set their minds to. The people I am closest to in this organisation are women."
