Don Lemon, the prominent news anchor and television journalist, has recently reached a lucrative separation agreement with his former employer, CNN.
According to reports from The Wrap, Lemon is slated to receive a substantial payout of $24.5 million, equivalent to the full amount he would have earned if his contract had run its course for another three and a half years.
Lemon’s tenure at CNN spanned an impressive 17 years, during which he anchored various programs, including a hit primetime show. However, his career trajectory took an unexpected turn when his show was relocated to the morning slot, a move that ultimately led to his departure from the network. Lemon’s abrupt exit was publicly disclosed in April, as he took to Twitter to express his shock at being terminated.
“I was informed this morning by my agent I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned,” Lemon wrote.
CNN, however, contested Lemon’s narrative, asserting that he had been offered an opportunity to discuss the situation with management before his public announcement. The discrepancy in accounts highlighted underlying tensions between Lemon and the network, which had been brewing for some time.
The rift between Lemon and CNN became apparent following several contentious incidents, including a remark he made about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s age during a broadcast. This incident, along with a subsequent heated interview with another Republican candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, marked the culmination of Lemon’s tumultuous relationship with the network.
Despite the challenges, Lemon remained steadfast in his commitment to journalistic integrity and the pursuit of truth. In a statement following his departure, Lemon emphasized his responsibility, both as a journalist and as an American citizen, to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
“I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist, but as an American, to tell the truth,” Lemon asserted. “In order to fulfill the promise of the Constitution, we have to stand up for what is right. We have to stand up for the truth.”
Now, as Lemon embarks on a new chapter in his career, he is set to launch his own show, “The Don Lemon Show,” signaling his continued dedication to informing and engaging audiences. Scheduled to premiere on Twitter/X, the program promises to deliver Lemon’s unique perspective on current events and issues of importance to the public.