Kaitlan Collins reacts to Don Lemon’s CNN departure
Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow on Tuesday addressed the shocking news of former “CNN This Morning” cohost Don Lemon’s departure from the cable news network this week.
Lemon on Monday announced on Twitter he had been fired by the network. He had worked for CNN for 17 years.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN,” he wrote. “I am stunned.”
Lemon said the news did not come directly from anyone at the network.
“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” he said. “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.”
READ: Don Lemon out at CNN: ‘I am stunned’
CNN said via Twitter Lemon’s statement was “inaccurate” and that he was given a chance to meet with management. “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” the network’s PR account tweeted. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
Lemon also thanked his CNN coworkers.
“With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run,” he wrote. “They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”
In September 2022, CNN announced Lemon would serve as co-anchor with Alabama native Collins and Poppy Harlow on the network’s reimagined morning show “CNN This Morning.”
Collins and Harlow opened Tuesday’s episode of the morning show with remarks on Lemon’s departure.
Harlow shared CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht’s public statement on Lemon, which said, “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
Then Collins chimed in. “Don was a big part of this show over the last six months,” she said. “He was one of the first anchors on CNN to have me on his show. That’s something I’ll obviously never forget. I agree with Chris. We wish him the best.”
“Yeah, we certainly do,” Harlow said. “Don was one of my first friends here at CNN. I’m so thankful to have worked alongside him and for his support for nearly 15 years here, and I wish him all good things ahead.”
Harlow said she and Collins are “really proud” of “CNN This Morning,” including the “dedicated team that works around the clock” to produce the show and emphasized their priority is “you, the viewer.”
Lemon, formerly one of CNN’s most recognizable personalities, joined the network in September 2006. He served as primetime anchor of “Don Lemon Tonight” for more than eight years. He shut down his nightly program “Don Lemon Tonight” to headline the new morning show in 2022.
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In February, Lemon received backlash for remarks he made about presidential candidate Nikki Haley on the air during “CNN This Morning,” saying Haley isn’t “in her prime” at age 51 during a discussion about Haley’s support of mental competency tests for politicians over 75.
“A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s,” Lemon said, citing Google search results.
Co-host Poppy Harlow responded, “Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing or are you talking about prime for being president?”
Lemon issued an apology later that day. “A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally,” Lemon tweeted at the time. “I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
CNN later announced Lemon would undergo formal training before returning to the morning show. “I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today,” Lemon tweeted before returning to air. “To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry. I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better. See you soon.”
Variety in April also reported on Lemon’s “diva-like behavior” at the network, citing incidents with several female employees including Nancy Grace, Kyra Phillips and Soledad O’Brien.
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