Don Lemon has been fired by CNN after 17 years and people are blaming CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht for it.
In a revelation that Lemon said left him ‘stunned’, CNN on Monday announced the end of its longtime association with Lemon, a star reporter who was a regular on the network’s prime-time schedule before experiencing a brief but turbulent stint as a morning show co-host.
Also Read: Will Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon join NewsNation after leaving Fox News, CNN?
“CNN and Don have parted ways,” Chris Licht, said in a statement. “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.”
The statement by Licht is completely different from how Lemon described his send-off. He said, “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 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 also added, “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, CNN’s communication department contradicted this, claiming that his statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. Apparently, despite being given the chance to speak with management, Lemon chose to post a statement on Twitter.
In spite of all such justifications, people on social media are siding with Lemon and holding Licht responsible for ‘ruining CNN’. One Twitter user said, “I am so passed off at CNN. First, they fired Chris Cuomo, then Brian Stelter, and now Don Lemon. I’m starting to think the problem lies with the CEO Chris Licht, time for him to go. The sooner the better.”
Also Read: Why was Don Lemon fired from CNN? Host says he didn’t know he would be terminated
Another person tweeted, “I truly hate what that Chris Licht has done to CNN which I watch regularly but if he hires Tucker— I will never watch CNN again. Don was such an excellent journalist/anchor.”
