Longtime CNN host Don Lemon has left the cable news network over two months after apologizing for on-air comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. CNN Chair and CEO Chris Licht said in a memo to staff that Lemon will always be a part of the CNN family and they thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. CNN did not provide a public explanation for Lemon’s departure.
On his Twitter account, Lemon contended the news came as a surprise to him and characterized it as a firing. He had appeared on his show that morning. CNN issued a rebuttal about Don Lemon’s statement, stating it was inaccurate and he was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.
Lemon caused an uproar in mid-February when during a discussion on “CNN This Morning” with co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins about the ages of politicians, he said that the 51-year-old Haley was not “in her prime.” He brought up the subject again an hour later, and was rebutted by commentator Audie Cornish. Lemon issued a statement the same day saying he regretted his “inartful and irrelevant” comments.
Licht told staffers in a memo at the time that Lemon would undergo “formal training,” but did not specify what that would entail. Lemon used to host the prime-time “Don Lemon Tonight” but moved to the mornings when the network launched “CNN This Morning” last November. But the show hasn’t had the intended ratings effect, and CNN leadership urged patience last month amid downturn in viewership across the board.
