why was don lemon let go from cnn

Don Lemon was let go from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the network, amid a mix of on-air controversies, declining ratings, and internal tensions.

Official Departure Details

CNN announced the split abruptly on April 24, 2023, with then-CEO Chris Licht thanking Lemon for his contributions but offering no specific reason publicly. Lemon expressed shock in a tweet, claiming he learned via his agent and wasn't informed directly by management—CNN called this "inaccurate," noting he declined a meeting. His contract, set to run through 2026, reportedly led to a $24.5 million payout settlement.

Key Controversies Leading Up

Lemon's exit followed a pattern of polarizing moments that drew scrutiny:

• Nikki Haley comments : Days prior, he said the 51-year-old GOP candidate was "past her prime," sparking backlash; CNN's Licht called it "unacceptable," mandating training.

• Misogyny allegations : A Variety report cited claims of him mistreating female colleagues, which he denied; this built on prior incidents like his 2019 remarks on CNN This Morning about women "aging out" in politics.

• Broader issues : Polls showed his viewer popularity dropping, and booking guests became tough; his prime-time show Don Lemon Tonight had shifted morning co-hosting, but ratings struggled.

CNN's Strategic Shifts

Under Licht's brief leadership (ending months later), CNN aimed to pivot toward "trustworthy, non-polarizing" content, reducing opinion-heavy segments Lemon embodied during Trump-era critiques. This came same-day as Fox firing Tucker Carlson, highlighting industry upheaval.

Lemon's Post-Firing Take

In a 2025 interview, Lemon suggested CNN "couldn't handle" his unfiltered style, framing it as media intolerance for real talk amid misinformation and cultural divides. He emphasized respect in disagreements, referencing past spats like with Kevin Hart, but avoided direct blame.

Forum and Trending Views

Reddit threads from 2023 speculated on "diva behavior," low ratings, and the Haley gaffe as culprits, with users noting his scrubbed CNN bio as a sign of finality. No major 2026 updates shift the narrative—it's still seen as a culmination of controversies rather than one smoking gun.

Perspective| Key Factor Cited| Source Echo
---|---|---
CNN/Network| Ratings, guest issues, business reset 79| Official memos, polls
Lemon| Sudden, mishandled process; "larger issues" 12| His statements, interviews
Media Critics| Sexism claims, on-air missteps 45| Variety, BBC reports
Public/Forums| Polarizing persona, Haley backlash 10| Reddit, trending chatter

TL;DR : A blend of recent gaffes (like Haley remarks), misogyny accusations, poor metrics, and CNN's rebrand sealed his fate—no single "gotcha," but years of friction boiled over.

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