Don Lemon Breaks Silence After CNN Termination

Don Lemon is speaking out after CNN announced his departure on April 24.

The media outlet revealed that it is parting ways with the 57-year-old controversial co-host of CNN This Morning.

According to a statement obtained by the New York Times, "Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors."

Following the news of his exit, Lemon took to Twitter to express how he feels about the decision.

"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” he wrote. "I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had 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 continued: "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."

However, shortly after Lemon's statement, CNN's Communications Twitter account revealed that his accusations were false, writing, "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."

Back in February, Lemon caused a stir after making controversial comments regarding South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley while on air with his co-host, Poppy Harlow.

Lemon received backlash when he told Harlow that “a woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s," following a report on Haley's candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. When Harlow asked him to explain himself, he replied, “If you Google ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s.”

Per CNN, the anchor apologized to his colleagues in the company’s daily editorial meeting, stating, “I’m sorry that I said it and I certainly see why people found it completely misguided.”

“When I make a mistake, I own it,” Lemon added. “And I own this one as well.”

Days following Lemon's apology, CNN CEO Chris Licht revealed that the anchor would be undergoing "formal training" moving forward as he continued to co-host the morning show.

“I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation,” Licht wrote back in Feb. “He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously.”

“It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with … fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes,” he added. “To that end, Don will return to CNN This Morning on Wednesday.”

Then, earlier this month, Variety reported that the news anchor had a history of "troubling treatment of women and unprofessional antics" for nearly two decades, but Lemon has denied these allegations.

"The story, which is riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence, is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip," a spokesperson on behalf of Lemon said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight. "It's amazing and disappointing that Variety would be so reckless."

A CNN spokesperson also told ET, "The Variety story provides no actual proof, and instead relies on anonymous sources and unsubstantiated claims from 10 to 15 years ago. CNN is unable to corroborate the alleged accounts."

Next: Tucker Carlson Exits Fox News After Almost 15 Years