On Monday, CNN announced that it had decided to “part ways” with longtime host Don Lemon, who said he was “stunned” by the news.
“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 thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” Lemon said in a statement posted on Twitter. “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 that 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,” he continued.
CNN subsequently contradicted Lemon’s statement, calling it “inaccurate.”
“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” the network tweeted “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
Lemon recently came under fire for making comments about when a woman is in her “prime,” which many described as sexist.
“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime — sorry — when a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s, maybe 40s,” Lemon said.
Lemon later said he regretted his remarks.
“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. A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day,” he tweeted.
Also on Monday, Fox News announced it had parted ways Tucker Carlson. It is unclear why the popular host, whose show “Tucker Carlson Tonight” became the highest-rated program in cable news history, parted ways with the network.
