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Don Lemon Fired From CNN

Don Lemon Fired From CNN

Don Lemon

The out anchor posted the news of his firing on Twitter.

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Don Lemon has been fired from CNN.

The longtime out anchor announced his termination in disbelief on Twitter shortly after noon on Monday.

“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” Lemon wrote. “I am stunned.”

The former CNN Tonight With Don Lemon anchor turned CNN This Morning cohost did not mince words about how he received the news that his employment had ended.

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

Lemon said it was “clear” that some other issues were at play in his firing.

Lemon recently came under fire for comments he made on the air about Nikki Haley after she announced her candidacy for president.

“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon said in February. “When a woman is considered to be in her prime — in her 20s, 30s, and maybe her 40s.”

Earlier this month, Variety published an exposé about Lemon that outlined a complicated history with coworkers.

The article told of more than a dozen former and current coworkers who discussed Lemon’s alleged interest in power and denigration of female coworkers.

“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,” Lemon wrote.

News of Lemon’s firing came shortly after word came that another national media figure, Tucker Carlson, was no longer with Fox News.

“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 statement. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”

On Twitter, CNN's communications department wrote, "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."

The Advocate has reached out to CNN and Lemon for comment.

This story is developing.

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Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).
Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).