CNN has ended its relationship with longtime host Don Lemon. It seems like the news channel and Lemon didn’t end things on a good note and he talked about it on the micro-blogging site Twitter.
On April 24, 2023, the former CNN News host shared with his fans on his Twitter page that he was stunned to know by his agent that the news giant had cut ties with him. The news of his departure comes 2 months after he apologized for his remarks on Republican presidential candidate, Nikki Haley.
Don started by writing, “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 though that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly.”
The renowned journalist went on to say, “At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
On the other hand, CNN also issued a statement on the matter that read, “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.”
How much money did Don Lemon earn during his time at CNN? Read on to know more about the popular television personality Don Lemon including his TV career, net worth, and more.
What is the net worth of Don Lemon?
According to the website Celebrity Net Worth, Don Lemon has an estimated net worth of $12 million. It has been reported that he made somewhat around $4 million from his work at CNN each year. He is widely known for hosting the TV shows: Don Lemon Tonight and CNN This Morning.
Lemon kicked off his television career with right-wing news giant FOX News. Soon after, he started working as a correspondent on Today and NBC Nightly News. In the year 2006, he joined CNN and ended up becoming a known face on many prime-time series. Not long ago, he was benched by the network for his remarks about politician Nikki Haley.
All you need to about Don Lemon’s controversy over his sexist remarks towards politician Nikki Haley
During a February 2023 broadcast, Lemon made a few sexist comments towards politician Nikki Haley. At that point in time, he was bashed by the viewers of the show after he made a remark about Haley’s age.
Then, he talked about the 51-year-old former governor of South Carolina’s bid for the presidency on CNN This Morning. During the broadcast, he claimed that she is past her prime.
The Don Lemon Tonight host said, “She says people, politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s.”
Then, Lemon’s co-host Poppy Harlow asked him to clarify his stance. He further added, “If you Google, ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. … I’m not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that [politicians aren’t in their prime].”
Don Lemon’s sexist remarks sparked a live debate on social media
Don’s comments caused a stir online and many politicians and viewers fired back at him. Soon after, Poppy Harlow shared her views on the whole matter on the social media platform Twitter on February 16 and she said, “To be clear, I am NOT calling for competency tests for Sexist middle-aged CNN anchors; only for people who make our laws and are 75+.”
Patricia Heaton tweeted, “Hey Ladies [email protected] thinks women over 50 are past their prime! Let’s start #primetime and list some of the things we’ve accomplished in these glorious later years. I’ll start.”
Don Lemon apologized to his staff for his sexist comments
At that time, the Emmy winner issued an apology to his colleagues. Then, he said, “I’m sorry that I said it. And I certainly see why people found it completely misguided. When I make a mistake, I own it. And I own this one as well.”
In a separate tweet shared, Lemon wrote, “The reference I made to a woman’s ‘prime’ this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it.” He went on to say, “A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
A little bit about Don Lemon’s personal life
When we put some light on the personal life of the CNN This Morning host Don Lemon, he came out as gay in the year 2011. At that time, he became “one of the few openly gay black men in broadcasting”.
Right now, Lemon is in a relationship with real estate agent Tim. The two of them have been together since the year 2017. Malone and Don crossed paths for the first time in New York. The pair announced that they were engaged nearly 2 years later in 2019. They shared the great news with their fans on Instagram.
“He gave me a present on his birthday. How could I say no?” Don wrote alongside a picture of their bowtie-shaped dog tags engraved with the words, “daddy will you marry papa?” The tags were on their fur babies Boomer and Barkley. In the snap shared by Lemon, we can also see the pair sporting rings on their ring finger.
Tim who is a real estate agent by profession proposed to Lemon after his birthday as the two of them were celebrating. Malone shared the same picture on his Instagram account. He simply captioned the snap, “He said YES!”
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