CNN has accused former anchor Don Lemon of lying after he claimed that he was not informed of his termination by the network’s top management. Lemon tweeted earlier that the news of his dismissal blindsided him, but CNN refuted it in a scorching statement on their PR team’s Twitter account.
“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 network said.
Lemon’s exit from CNN follows a series of high-profile controversies, including his infamous “past her prime” remark about GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a screaming match with a female co-host, and allegations of “diva-like” and misogynistic behavior while at CNN.
In December last year, Lemon allegedly “screamed” at his co-anchor, Kaitlan Collins, after an on-air segment. He approached Collins after the cameras stopped rolling and unleashed on her in front of staffers for supposedly “interrupting” him on air. In the aftermath, Collins wanted to be on set with Lemon as little as possible, according to sources. Just weeks before the screaming match, Lemon clashed with his two female co-hosts over his on-air remarks about women’s soccer. Lemon suggested that the US men’s soccer team should get paid more than the women’s side because the men’s team makes more money. He got into an awkward dispute with Collins and Poppy Harlow, who disagreed with his stance.
A damning Variety report published earlier this month alleged that Lemon has a long history of sexist and “diva-like behavior.” The report cited roughly a dozen former CNN staffers who listed several alleged instances of misogynistic behavior. Lemon later apologized for his “past her prime” remark about Haley, but the controversies continued to pile up, leading to his sudden termination from CNN.
Despite CNN’s initial statement on Lemon’s exit being far more deferential, his final months at the network were marred by scandal and controversy. The reasons for his ouster have not been made public, but Lemon’s statement that the news blindsided him suggests he did not see it coming. The firing of a high-profile anchor like Lemon is a significant event in the media landscape, and it remains to be seen what his future endeavors will be after 17 years at CNN.
