Don Lemon gives first interview since CNN firing: ‘Not worried at all’

Don Lemon is “not worried at all” about his future, he said in his first interview since being fired by CNN.

The longtime broadcaster stressed the importance of standing up for “the truth” during a recent sit-down with ABC24 Memphis — a conversation that came two months after his CNN exit.

“I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist, but as an American, to tell the truth, and to abide by the promises of the Constitution, because the Constitution says a more perfect union,” Lemon said. “Not a perfect union. I’m not a perfect person. No one is.”

He continued, “In order to fulfill the promise of the Constitution, we have to stand up for what is right. We have to stand up for the truth.”

Lemon, 57, did not go into specifics about what led to his CNN ousting, but tweeted in April he was “stunned” by the decision. Chris Licht, the chairman and CEO of CNN when Lemon was let go, has since left the role.

The firing of Lemon came after the broadcaster drew controversy in February for suggesting Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not “in her prime” at 51 years old. He also argued with Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy during an April interview.

“I don’t believe in platforming liars and bigots and insurrectionists and election deniers, and putting them on the same footing as people who are telling the truth, people who are fighting for what’s right, people who are abiding by the Constitution,” Lemon told the Memphis news station.

Lemon, a Brooklyn College graduate, spent 17 years with CNN, most recently as a co-host of “CNN This Morning.” He told ABC24 Memphis that he’s still figuring out his next move.

“I don’t have to be in a rush,” Lemon said. “I think sometimes people rush to make decisions and they end up making the wrong decisions.”