CNN host Don Lemon is being accused of displaying several instances of misogyny and “diva-like behavior” for 15 years at the network.
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CNN’s Don Lemon Is Accused Of Displaying Misogyny & ‘Diva-Like Behavior’ For 15 Years
A new exposé released by Variety has alleged that Don Lemon is a misogynist, who mocked female co-workers, and showed “diva-like behavior.”
The exposé accuses the Emmy winner of alienating his female co-workers for nearly two decades. Allegedly, Lemon disrespected his colleague Nancy Grace, by mocking her on air; told Soledad O’Brien that she wasn’t really Black; and allegedly called a female producer fat to her face.
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According to reports, Lemon was recently ordered to undergo sensitivity training after making sexist comments on air about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. He claimed the 51-year-old wouldn’t be a viable candidate because she isn’t in her prime, adding, “A woman is considered to be in their prime in their 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
Following the recent incident, Variety has shared an exposé, in which claims Lemon also issued anonymous and threatening text messages to his colleague Kyra Phillips back in 2008 — when Lemon was co-anchoring CNN’s ‘Live From‘ weekday show.
Reportedly, Lemon was compelled to send the anonymous and harassing messages out of jealousy, as Phillips had been assigned to cover the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, an assignment he allegedly desired himself.
Allegedly, one of the text messages sent to Phillips’ phone read, “Now you’ve crossed the line, and you’re going to pay for it.” According to reports, the anonymous number was later traced back to Lemon, who reportedly tore up pictures and notes inside of Phillips’ desk while she was away.
Following the incident, CNN conducted an investigation into the texts, which resulted in him being pulled from his co-anchoring position alongside Phillips, and demoted to the weekends.
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A spokesperson for Lemon spoke with The New York Post about the misogyny and “diva” claims, stating, “Don says the incident never occurred and that he was never notified of any investigation. CNN cannot corroborate the alleged events from 15 years ago.
The story, which is riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence, is entirely based on unsourced, unsubstantiated, 15-year-old anonymous gossip. It’s amazing and disappointing that Variety would be so reckless.”
Variety claims that the Soledad O’Brien incident is also said to have occurred in 2008. She had landed her job hosting CNN’s ‘Black in America‘ docuseries, which Lemon allegedly suggested she wasn’t Black enough to do.
O’Brien told Variety, “Don has long had a habit of saying idiotic and inaccurate things, so it sounds pretty on brand for him.”
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