Don Lemon fired – live updates: CNN claims axed host’s statement is ‘inaccurate’

Don Lemon has been fired by CNN after 17 years on the network.

On Monday (24 April), the news anchor announced that he had “parted ways” with CNN following a string of scandals in recent months.

“CNN and Don have parted ways,” the network 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 endeavours.”

Lemon reacted to the news with his own statement on Twitter saying he was left “stunned” after being informed by his agent that CNN had allegedly terminated his contract without informing him.

“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” he wrote.

CNN has called Lemon’s statement “inaccurate”.

Earlier this year, Lemon faced scrutiny for saying on-air that presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not “in her prime” at the age of 51.

Earlier this month, Lemon was accused of multiple claims of workplace misogyny and “diva-like behaviour” in a lengthy report by Variety.

The news anchor denied the claims, saying they were “entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip”.

Key Points

• Don Lemon is fired from CNN after accusations of sexist comments and mistreatment of female colleagues

CNN’s says Lemon’s statement is ‘inaccurate'

19:52 , Tom Murray

The official CNN Communications account has shared a tweet suggesting that Lemon’s statement is “inaccurate”.

In his statement, Lemon claims that he was informed of his dismissal via his agent. “After 17 years at CNN I would have thought someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” he wrote.

In a new tweet, CNN claims Lemon was, in fact, invited to speak with management.

“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter,” the statement reads.

The View hosts celebrate after learning Tucker Carlson is leaving Fox News

19:15 , Tom Murray

The View hosts shared a joint reaction to the announcement of Fox News parting ways with its host Tucker Carlson.

Whoopi Goldberg relayed the information to the show’s studio audience and her fellow co-hosts during the daytime talk show’s Monday (24 April) broadcast.

“Wave,” she added, kicking off a Mexican Wave joined by fellow presenters, including Sunny Hostin.

Co-host Ana Navaro then proceeded to ask the audience to join her in singing Steam’s 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Me Goodbye”.

Read more:

The View hosts dance and sing after learning Tucker Carlson is leaving Fox News

Donald Trump rejoices in Don Lemon’s departure from CNN

18:31 , Tom Murray

Trump wasted no time in reacting to the news of Lemon’s departure.

“Good News: ‘The dumbest man on television,’ Don Lemon, has finally been fired from Fake News CNN. My only question is, WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG?” he wrote on his Twitter-clone Truth Social.

He has yet to comment on Tucker Carlson’s exit from Fox News.

Lemon’s axing came just hours after Fox parted ways with Tucker Carlson

18:28 , Tom Murray

Two giants in the US media landscape lost their jobs today.

Controversial right-wing host Tucker Carlson was also ousted Monday after Fox News announced it would pay Dominion Voting Systems $787m to settle the latter’s defamation lawsuit.

Dominion sued Fox News for boosting lies that the ballot technology company participated in widespread voter fraud during the 2020 election.

Let the memes begin...

Lemon’s statement in full

18:00 , Tom Murray

Lemon tweeted the news of his departure on Monday.

You can read his full, typed statement here: