Don Lemon fired – live: CNN anchor says he has ‘no regrets’ and ‘owns his actions’ after exit

‘I don’t look back and I don’t want to change things in the past’

Don Lemon responds to Tucker Carlson’s ‘ignorant’ white supremacy rant

Don Lemon has said he had no regrets and “owns” his actions after being fired from CNN following his 17-year stint with the network.

Lemon announced his firing on Monday, saying he was “stunned” after being informed of the decision by his agent, and lamenting the lack of “decency” in the handling of the situation, which CNN rejected as “inaccurate”.

“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” CNN said. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavours.”

“I live my life with no regrets. I did what I did and I own it, and so no, I don’t look back and I don’t want to change things in the past,” Lemon said in an interview with Extra TV at the Time 100 Gala NYC.

It came as Lemon had been mired in a string of controversies in recent months – with accusations of making offensive on-air comments about women and of mistreating female coworkers off-camera. Lemon has denied the allegations.

Key Points

• Don Lemon says he has no regrets after sexism claims: ‘I own it’
• Don Lemon fired from CNN after accusations of sexist comments and mistreatment of female colleagues
• What Lemon said about presidential candidate Nikki Haley
• Donald Trump rejoices in Lemon’s departure from CNN
• CNN co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins respond to anchor’s dismissal
• California congressman defends Lemon over Ramaswamy interview

[26 April 2023 22:00 · Inga Parkel]

Nikki Haley wastes no time in using Lemon dismissal to hawk merchandise

The former South Carolina governor and US ambassador to the UN, herself now a Republican presidential contender, took to Twitter yesterday to celebrate the downfall of the man who controversially suggested she was “past her prime” and wasted no time in turning the moment into a sales opportunity.

“A great day for women everywhere. Now, let’s get men out of women’s sports,” she wrote before pitching a range of beer can koozies emblazoned with her slogans.

Ousted CNN presenter previously claimed the White House hopeful was ‘not in her prime’

[26 April 2023 21:00 · Inga Parkel]

What will happen to CNN This Morning?

During Lemon’s earlier leave, following his controversial comments about Nikki Haley’s age, anchor Sara Sidner filled his spot beside co-host Poppy Harlow.

However, at the moment, the network has yet to announce any plans for a permanent replacement. For now, Harlow and co-anchor Kaitlan Collins will continue hosting the show as usual.

[26 April 2023 20:00 · Inga Parkel]

Co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins react to Don Lemon's firing

The morning after CNN announced Lemon’s termination, CNN This Morning went along with business as usual with co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins hosting the show.

However, before jumping into the day’s news, the two gave Lemon a swift and upbeat send-off, wishing him well.

Read more:

Media-CNN-Lemon (2022 Invision)

Don Lemon receives swift and upbeat send-off from CNN co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins

Lemon was fired on Monday after 17 years of broadcasting at CNN

[26 April 2023 19:00 · Inga Parkel]

Howard Stern brands Don Lemon ‘lucky’ as his firing coincided with Tucker Carlson’s

While Don Lemon claimed his termination came without warning, Howard Stern has suggested there’s some good in the timing of it all.

The TV personality argued that because Lemon’s firing coincided with Fox News parting ways with Tucker Carlson, the controversial host would attract the most attention, leaving Lemon with less heated criticism.

Read more:

(Getty Images)

Howard Stern says Don Lemon and Jeff Shell were ‘lucky’ to be fired at same time as Tucker Carlson

CNN’s Lemon and Fox’s Carlson announced their departure on Monday (24 April)

[26 April 2023 18:00 · Joe Sommerlad]

Michelle Yeoh’s dig at Don Lemon in Oscars acceptance speech revisited

Lemon’s sexist remark about Nikki Haley earned him a callout from the Best Actress winner at this year’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles just last month.

Peony Hirwani looks back at an excruciating moment for the anchor as he was put to the sword by legendary action star Michelle Yeoh as she accepted her statuette for Everything Everywhere All At Once.

[26 April 2023 17:15 · Joe Sommerlad]

‘The Don Lemon scandal is not a scandal’

For Indy Voices, Clemence Michallon offers this on Lemon’s “past her prime” scandal from earlier this year, which in retrospect appears to have marked the beginning of the end for him at CNN.

[26 April 2023 16:30 · Joe Sommerlad]

Don Lemon career timeline

Inga Parkel has this look back at the fired CNN star’s career in the media.

[26 April 2023 15:45 · Joe Sommerlad]

How CNN reported Don Lemon’s departure

In case you missed it, this is how anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlin Collins covered the Lemon news on his former show on Tuesday morning, with both women sharing positive memories of his contribution and thanking viewers for tuning in.

Here’s more from Ariana Baio.

[26 April 2023 15:00 · Joe Sommerlad]

Rick Ross offers Don Lemon a job at Wingstop

Rapper Rick Ross has responded to the news of Lemon’s firing from CNN by offering him a job at his fast food chain Wingstop.

“For some reason, I believe you know what you’re doing with them lemon pepper wings, so man just send over your resumé,” Ross said.

“Seventeen years, damn. But I’m going to make sure I get you in front of the right grill brother.”

Ross and his family own nearly 30 franchises of the popular fried chicken chain.

[26 April 2023 14:15 · Joe Sommerlad]

Lemon ‘lucky’ to be ousted same time as Carlson, says Howard Stern

The legendary radio “shock jock” has said that the ousted CNN anchor Don Lemon and fired NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell were “lucky” to lose their jobs at the same time as Fox’s Tucker Carlson.

“Don Lemon got fired over at CNN and then some other guy at NBC, Jeff Shell, who’s an executive, got fired,” Stern said on Tuesday’s episode of his SiriusXM radio show.

“And I’m like, Jeff Shell’s so lucky, and so is Don Lemon, because Tucker Carlson getting fired on the same day you get fired – you barely make news, like no one will even notice.

“Now is the time to get rid of everybody, ‘cause no one’s going to really make a big deal about it.”

I’m not sure it’s played out like that in practice but here’s Ellie Muir with more.