‘CNN This Morning’ Host Don Lemon Reportedly Kicked Out after He Allegedly Tried To Hold the Network Hostage By Jumping Ship To Their Rivals as Part of His Revenge Plan
Good Morning news shows have been a staple of American television. It is an important segment for any news channel. As a result, it was no surprise when CNN’s star anchor Don Lemon agreed to co-host the show. Alas, for CNN, this move has been anything but good. After a string of humiliating fails, Don Lemon has reportedly been removed from the show’s line-up for Monday, February 20. The popular anchor was criticized for a number of incidents that put him and his network in an awkward position. The anchor’s axing for Monday represents a drop in the ratings for the show on CNN and Lemon’s increasingly tumultuous relationship, raising concerns about the anchor’s future with the network.
Host Don Lemon Booted Out of His Morning Show Slot After A String of Embarrassing Incidents
Lemon issued an apology on Thursday afternoon for comments he made during a show regarding prime time for women. On the morning show, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley made some comments about the ages of some of her rivals. The on-air scuffle has drawn the attention of several people, both inside and outside the network.
The Daily Beast reported that Lemon would skip Monday’s episode of CNN This Morning in favor of spending Presidents Day with his family. His forthcoming absence was reportedly not anticipated until Thursday. Poppy Harlow and Sara Sidner will be the two anchors in place of Lemon, and Kaitlin Collins, another frequent co-host, will be stationed in Poland for coverage.
Chris Licht reportedly said to the staff on Friday morning,
“Lemon’s comments were upsetting, unacceptable, and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a major distraction from the great work of this organization.”
The same publication also said that his position at CNN appears to be up for consideration as of now, with one insider cited as saying that his future there is being debated at the highest levels and that he is a constant distraction. In a report released from FOX News, a different CNN insider was cited as saying that Lemon should return by Tuesday, though even that is not assured because it will presumably depend on where his brain is at. Also, it’s not apparent if this ban is unconditional or if Lemon has set conditions.
How Don Lemon has become a headache for CNN
According to recent reports, Lemon won’t be on TV to kick off the new week, and his future at CNN is now questionable as a result of his sexist remark. Lemon stated on the program,
“She thinks people, you know, politicians or anything, are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry. A woman’s prime is considered to be in her 20s, 30s, and possibly 40s.”
Co-anchor Poppy Harlow was inspired by Lemon’s remark to ask him to explain his remark. “What are you on about? Wait—prime for what?” she asked. “If you Google when a woman is in her prime, it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s,” her co-host responded.” He further stated,
“And I’m just saying Nikki Haley should be careful about saying that politicians are not in their prime, and they need to be in their prime when they serve. Because, according to Google or whatever, she wouldn’t be in her prime.”
Don Lemon says Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime as a politician because she’s not in her 20’s, 30’s or 40’s. Holy shit. She’s only 51! Biden’s 80! This may be the dumbest thing ever said on CNN. And I love that he cited Google as his source: pic.twitter.com/l1CzTYlkjX
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 16, 2023
In addition, a series of dramatic on-air arguments between Lemon and his two co-anchors, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, weakened the program’s reputation in the United States.
Don Lemon has recently come under fire for making controversial remarks
Lemon recently slammed Collins for talking with James Comer, the head of the House Oversight Committee, about upcoming hearings about Hunter Biden’s laptop. Collins inquired about planned hearings on Hunter Biden’s laptop from Mr. Comer, the head of the House Oversight Committee. Lemon said in response to the discussion,
“That’s a big issue when it comes to the American people. The American people will have to put up with everything, from election skeptics to those who reject truth. There was no shared reality before, and now there is.”
In an effort to create a more competitive morning alternative after the long-running CNN early-bird program New Day had started to experience notable ratings declines, CNN CEO Chris Licht swiftly put the trio at the namesake show together. Yet on-screen chemistry takes time to build; it is rarely present from the start.
However, the individual with knowledge of the situation claims that the present exchange frequently makes Collins, one of the most assertive journalists, appear reserved or bashful and forces Harlow into a mediator role she does not want or enjoy. By shifting Don Lemon from his traditional primetime position to mornings, CNN took a significant risk.
Source: TMZ
