Don Lemon‘s time at CNN has come to an end.
The longtime anchor made the shocking announcement on Monday afternoon that he was let go from his position on “CNN This Morning,” which he co-anchored with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow for about six months.
Surprisingly, Lemon was on air Monday morning but took to Twitter shortly after to reveal that he received the notice of his termination from his agent.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned,”
CNN issued a statement on the termination shortly after Don shared the news.
CNN CEO Chris Licht said in a statement that the network wishes him well and will cheer him on as he pursues future endeavors, echoing what he wrote in an email to CNN staffers obtained by USA TODAY.
“To my CNN Colleagues, CNN and Don have parted ways. Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” Licht said.
He added: “CNN This Morning has been on the air for nearly six months, and we are committed to its success.”
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Meanwhile, Don says that his termination was a complete shock to him and that he was blindsided.
“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly. 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 there are some larger issues at play. With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.”
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
However, CNN released a statement on their Twitter page challenging Don’s claims stating that his accusations aren’t accurate.
“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.”
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.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
Don had been with the network since September 2006. After more than eight years as a prime-time host, on Nov. 1 he was moved along with Harlow and Collins to the relaunched “CNN Mornings.”
