The Cable Network News (CNN) has sacked its longtime anchor, Don Lemon, after accusations of misogyny and misbehaviour.
Lemon, who worked with CNN for 17 years, expressed surprise at his sack, saying he was told by his agent he had been let go.
“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.
“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 tweeted on Monday, April 24.
CNN said it “parted ways” with Lemon, who co-hosted its morning show, saying “we wish him well”.
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The 57-year-old had appeared on CNN on Monday during the morning programme as normal, before reports of his dismissal were later publicised.
The network did not elaborate on the reason for his dismissal.
CNN, in a statement issued on Monday, described Lemon’s description of events “inaccurate”, saying he had been given an opportunity to meet with management.
The network added that its show, ‘This Morning’, will continue with Lemon’s former co-hosts, Harlow and Collins.
Lemon’s dismissal followed on-air remarks by Lemon in which he said 51-year-old Republican, Nikki Hayley, was not “in her prime”.
A long-time fixture of the network, Lemon was most recently a co-host of CNN’s ‘This Morning’ programme.
But he landed in hot water earlier this year after comments he made about Republican presidential hopeful, Haley, a former UN ambassador and governor of South Carolina.
Haley was not “in her prime”, Lemon said in February, a remark widely decried as sexist.
“When a woman is considered to be in her prime – in her 20s, 30s, and maybe her 40s,” he had said.
“I’m just saying what the facts are – Google it,” he added, in response to the objections of his female co-hosts, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.
Lemon later apologised to the CNN newsroom and agreed to partake in “mandatory training” to address the incident.
The anchor’s reputation was further clouded by a report from Variety earlier in April, which detailed accusations of misogynistic behaviour toward his CNN colleagues.
Lemon called a producer fat to her face, mocked and mimicked one colleague and allegedly sent threatening texts to another.
A representative for Lemon however denied the reports.
His dismissal also came on the heels of another major US media departure.
Just moments before Lemon’s announcement, Fox News announced it was parting ways with primetime host, Tucker Carlson.
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