This morning, CNN host Don Lemon announced in a fiery tweet that he was terminated from the network with little explanation.
After working with CNN for 17 years, Lemon said that he was “shocked” by their decision to fire him, stating that he was never “given any indication” that his time with the company was coming to an end.
His show, Don Lemon Tonight, aired for eight years and was one of CNN’s prime-time daily shows. Lemon was also the co-host of CNN This Morning. Over the past year, both shows have seen a significant decline in ratings — but it is still unclear why Lemon was terminated in what appeared to be an abrupt way.
His statement Lemon released on Twitter states the following:
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. 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. 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.”
Don Lemon — Twitter
CNN’s official Twitter account for company communications contradicted Lemon’s statement however, claiming that his account of the termination was “inaccurate.”
The news of Lemon’s termination from CNN broke the same morning as Fox News announced Tucker Carlson’s departure from their network. Both hosts are known nationally for their political commentary, and the conditions of their departures have caused an internet uproar.
