Don Lemon Shares What He Plans To Do Next After Being Fired By CNN
By Favour Adegoke on April 29, 2023 at 11:30 PM EDT
Don Lemon recently reflected on his future now that he's done with CNN. The former anchor said his life is moving on, and he's not interested in reflecting on his actions.
Lemon called himself a "survivor" who comes from "strong, sturdy stock in Louisiana" and has a lot of support. He surprised fans on Monday when he announced that CNN had fired him and informed only his agent.
The anchor's termination has been linked to his recent controversy with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. During a segment, Lemon had called Haley a woman "past her prime" while discussing politicians' ages.
Read on to find out more.
Don Lemon Is Moving On With His Life
A surprise appearance by Don Lemon at the Time 100 Gala in New York marked his first public appearance since being let go by CNN. He opened up to Extra about his plans and reflected on his departure from the news network.
Lemon said, "You guys are more worried about me than I am. Life goes on. That's behind me, and we'll see what happens. I live my life with no regrets, and whatever I did, I did, I owned. I don't look back and don't want to change things in the past ... Onward."
He Said He's A Survivor
According to the report from Extra, Lemon shared that he's very "excited for a new chapter." He added, "I think life is short, and whatever life hands you, you have to bob and weave and do it."
The news anchor spoke on moments where life has happened to him, such as his sister's death and Dad's fatal diabetes. He said, "So there are lots of unexpected things that come your way, but I'm a survivor. I come from strong, sturdy stock in Louisiana, and many people are rooting for me and who love me."
Lemon said that with his newfound freedom, he plans to spend his summer "on the beach and the boat, and with my family." He revealed that he's just going to rest and see what happens next in his life, mainly because he's "fortunate enough to be in a position where I can do that."
Don Lemon's Firing From CNN Was A Surprise
On Monday, Lemon shocked fans when he announced on Twitter that he'd been fired from CNN. The former anchor claimed in his tweet that the network had only informed his agent. He wrote, "After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly."
Shortly after Lemon made his tweet, CNN responded with their tweet, claiming his version of events was "inaccurate." Their tweet read, "Don Lemon's statement about this morning's events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but released a statement on Twitter."
Don Lemon Was Called Out For Making A Sexist Comment
Lemon's firing from CNN has been linked to his controversy with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. The anchor had commented that Haley was "past her prime" while discussing the topic of politicians' ages affecting their ability to lead.
When he commented, lemon was in a segment with co-hosts Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. He said, "She says ... politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn't in her prime. Sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s."
The comments were received with immediate backlash on social media, which prompted Lemon to apologize soon after. He tweeted, "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."
Lemon was subsequently absent from three CNN broadcasts. The Network chairman Chris Licht notified CNN employees that Lemon would undergo training after having a "Frank and meaningful conversation" with the network's executives.
