CNN has allegedly agreed to compensate the former anchor, Don Lemon, for the period after his departure in April 2023. Don Lemon and CNN have reportedly reached an agreement following his exit last year.
The agreement entails a separation deal where the anchor, Don Lemon, is set to receive $24.5 million. This amount of money corresponds to the remaining value of his contract had it ended three and a half years later. When asked about it, Lemon’s representatives refused to comment.
A CNN representative, however, stated on Tuesday that the story is incorrect. “While we never comment on specifics of any employee contract, this story is incorrect,” the representative said.
After 17 years at CNN, the veteran anchor announced his firing from the network via a post on X (formerly Twitter) in April 2023. “I was informed this morning by my agent that CNN has terminated me. I am stunned,” Lemon wrote.
Shortly after Lemon’s announcement, CNN’s public relations team responded. In their response, they refuted Lemon’s claims and accused him of misrepresentation. “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” CNN Communications tweeted. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management, but instead, he released a statement on Twitter.”
The 57-year-old journalist’s departure from the network occurred after he departed from CNN This Morning. In February 2023, Lemon faced criticism for a remark he made. He made a remark about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley being “past her prime.” He made the statement about Haley’s age during a segment alongside co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. Lemon issued a public apology after the backlash, underwent formal training, and returned to air within a week.
About two months later, Lemon conducted a confrontational interview with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. This occurrence reportedly left several CNN leaders frustrated. This contributed to the channel’s decision to let him go.
Lemon broke his silence in an interview with Rudy Williams of ABC24 in July 2023. He emphasized his commitment to truth-telling and upholding the promises of the Constitution. He acknowledged imperfection but stressed the importance of standing up for what is right and truthful.
Don Lemon said, “I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist but as an American, to tell the truth. I have to abide by the promises of the Constitution because the Constitution says a more perfect union. Not a perfect union. I’m not a perfect person. No one is,” he added. “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.”
Subsequently, after Lemon’s departure, co-anchor Collins, aged 31, assumed the former time slot of Chris Cuomo at 9 p.m. Phil Mattingly then took over as co-anchor alongside Harlow, 41, after the departure of the previous CNN This Morning hosts. Mattingly and Harlow said goodbye to the show after it wrapped earlier this month.
However, recently, Lemon announced his upcoming self-titled newscast last month. He called it The Don Lemon Show. He gave more details about when and when it would stream. Lemon said it will initially stream on social media platform X. The premiere of The Don Lemon Show is scheduled for March 11.