Whew! Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has reportedly come to a settlement with the news network following his abrupt departure last year. The agreement, said to be worth a whooping $24.5 million, seems to be marking an end of Lemon’s 17-year tenure with CNN.
The separation deal, as first reported by @TheWrap, is said to be equivalent to the amount Lemon would have received had his contract with CNN run its course for another three and a half years.
As we previously reported, Lemon’s exit from CNN came after a series of incidents that raised eyebrows within the network. From controversial comments about political figures to confrontational interviews, the former anchor found himself at the center of various controversies leading up to his departure. One such incident involved remarks Lemon made about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, which sparked backlash and led to a public apology from the journalist. Despite undergoing formal training and returning to the airwaves shortly after the incident, Lemon’s troubles seemed far from over.
RELATED:Don Lemon Says His Commitment To The ‘Truth’ Led To Him Being Fired By CNN
A tense interview with another Republican presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, reportedly irked CNN leadership and played a role in the decision to part ways with Lemon. The fallout from this interview, coupled with previous incidents, ultimately led to Lemon’s termination from the network.
Lemon, 57, who was let go in a controversial manner, took to social media to express his shock and disappointment at the time of his firing. “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,” Lemon said at the time. “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,” Lemon wrote. However, CNN’s public relations team released a counter statement, accusing Lemon of not properly sharing what occurred.
“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” CNN Communications tweeted. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
Following his departure, Lemon maintained a relatively low profile until breaking his silence in an interview with ABC24. In the interview, Lemon emphasized the importance of truth-telling and upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution. Despite acknowledging his imperfections, Lemon stressed the need to stand up for what is right and to champion the truth.
In the wake of Lemon’s exit, changes were made to CNN’s lineup, with co-anchor Kaitlan Collins taking over a prime-time slot previously held by Chris Cuomo. The reshuffling of anchors and shows signaled a new chapter for CNN, as the network moved forward from the controversies surrounding Lemon’s departure.
As Lemon moves on from CNN with a substantial settlement, the industry will be watching to see where his next chapter takes him.