Don Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after a long run of controversies, most notably over comments widely criticized as sexist and misogynistic, along with broader concerns about his behavior and declining standing at the network.

Don Lemon: Why Was He Fired?

Quick Scoop

Don Lemon’s exit from CNN wasn’t pinned on one single on-air moment in the official statements, but it came after a pile-up of issues: his controversial “not in her prime” remark about Nikki Haley, past allegations of misogynistic behavior toward colleagues, and growing discomfort inside and outside the network with his on- air persona and influence. Publicly, CNN framed it as “parting ways,” while outside reporting and forum chatter have painted a picture of a star anchor whose controversies and ratings no longer justified the headache.

What CNN Said (And Didn’t Say)

• CNN announced that it had “parted ways” with Don Lemon but did not give a single, detailed public reason.

• The network wished him well and kept his morning show, with his co-hosts continuing without him.

• CNN later pushed back on Lemon’s claim that he learned about the firing only through his agent, saying he had been offered a chance to talk with management.

From a PR perspective, this kind of vague “we’re moving in a new direction” language is typical when a big media personality is let go amid controversy.

The Nikki Haley “Past Her Prime” Moment

One of the flashpoints that made headlines came in February 2023, when Lemon discussed Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley on air.

• He said Haley, then 51, wasn’t “in her prime,” and referenced that a woman is in her prime in her “20s, 30s and maybe 40s,” which many saw as sexist and dismissive.

• The remarks drew immediate backlash from viewers, colleagues, and public figures, and Haley herself later mocked him online after his firing.

• Lemon apologized on air and agreed to “mandatory training,” calling his comments “inartful and irrelevant.”

This on-air blunder became a symbol of a broader pattern people pointed to when talking about why he was fired, even if CNN never said it was the sole reason.

“If you watch the clip you could tell he was trying to figure out how to remove his foot from his mouth, but just couldn't figure out how to get out of the hole he had dug himself into.”

Allegations of Misogyny and Behind-the-Scenes Tension

Beyond that single moment, there were deeper and older issues being reported about Lemon’s behavior within CNN.

• A detailed report alleged that Lemon had a pattern of misogynistic behavior over the years, including insulting and threatening female colleagues.

• Examples in those reports included accusations that he called a producer “fat” to her face, mocked another colleague, and sent allegedly threatening texts to a third.

• A representative for Lemon denied these allegations, but the stories damaged his reputation and fed public perception that CNN had a “problem” on its hands.

According to coverage of his firing, CNN was also finding it harder to book guests to appear with him, and internal polling suggested his popularity with viewers had dropped, especially after these controversies.

Ratings, Format Shift, and “Final Straw” Talk

Lemon’s move from a solo primetime show to a morning show also mattered.

• He had been a long-time primetime host (Don Lemon Tonight) before being shifted to the morning program CNN This Morning in late 2022.

• Reports say the morning show struggled in the ratings, lagging behind competitors like Fox & Friends and Morning Joe.

• Some observers and forum commenters argued that he was a bad fit for the more upbeat morning slot and that the show felt like a “slow-moving train wreck” once it became clear the chemistry and numbers weren’t working.

Entertainment and media outlets described his firing as the culmination of several “final straw” moments: the Haley comments, rising internal frustration, and the sense that the show was underperforming.

How Different Sides Explain It

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Perspective	How they frame why Don Lemon was fired
Official CNN line	Framed as a mutual parting-of-ways and a programming decision, without a specific public reason.
News reporting	Highlights his controversial comments about women and aging, alleged history of misogynistic behavior, and trouble booking guests as key factors.
Forums & social media	Mix of “he finally faced consequences for sexist behavior” and “CNN had larger political or branding motives,” plus complaints about his attitude and ratings.
Don Lemon’s account	Says he was “stunned,” claims he was not warned and suggests “larger issues at play” beyond the public controversies.

On Reddit and similar forums, some users see it as accountability for misogyny, while others think CNN’s new leadership wanted to pivot politically and Lemon became expendable. Because CNN never offered a point‑by‑point explanation, a lot of the “why” discussion is informed speculation built around these public facts.

Recent Context and “Latest News” Angle

Although your question focuses on “Don Lemon why was he fired,” Lemon has remained in the news since then, which colors how people talk about him now.

• After CNN, he briefly launched a show on X (formerly Twitter) and then made headlines again when Elon Musk dropped the partnership after their first interview, sparking fresh online debates.

• Most recently, he has been in the spotlight for legal troubles and law‑enforcement action, which has brought renewed attention to his earlier firing and overall public image.

So when people ask this question in 2026, they’re usually revisiting that original 2023 firing with the benefit of hindsight, seeing it as the moment when his long, high‑profile run in mainstream cable news started to unravel.

Mini Takeaways (TL;DR)

1. CNN did not publicly give one clear reason, but parted ways with him in April 2023 after 17 years.

2. His “past her prime” comment about Nikki Haley and other sexist‑perceived remarks damaged his standing.

3. Investigative reports about alleged misogynistic behavior toward colleagues added serious reputational pressure.

4. Ratings trouble and booking issues for his new morning show made him less valuable to CNN’s evolving strategy.

5. Don Lemon maintains he was blindsided and suggests other “larger issues” were involved, while online forums continue to debate whether it was mainly about sexism, politics, or business.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.