A divisive, controversial anchor has finally been ousted from a major news network after years of causing internal strife and contributing to plummeting ratings.
CNN anchor Don Lemon, a long-time liberal darling, has finally been shown the door by the network, after years of divisive reporting and declining ratings.
CNN revealed on Monday that they were parting ways with Lemon, who has been shrouded in controversy for years, especially recently. The network’s statement read, “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
Don Lemon OUT at CNN. Here is the note from Chris Licht. pic.twitter.com/9zfcaXwQ5s
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) April 24, 2023
Lemon’s demotion from his primetime show to an ensemble cast foreshadowed his eventual departure. His stint on “CNN This Morning,” co-hosted with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, resulted in the lowest ratings in CNN morning show history, further showcasing the network’s inability to compete with Fox News and MSNBC.
According to Nielsen data, “CNN This Morning” saw a 16.2% drop in total viewership and a 21% decrease in the key demographic compared to the previous iteration of “New Day.” Lemon’s presence on the show only exacerbated the network’s woes.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
Moreover, reports of Lemon berating his co-host Kaitlin Collins off the air only added fuel to the fire. The New York Post revealed that Lemon confronted Collins after an on-air incident, accusing her of interrupting him. The situation escalated, with Collins reportedly leaving the studio visibly upset. CNN CEO Chris Licht was appalled by Lemon’s behavior, and Lemon was instructed to take a day off to “cool off.”
The internal turmoil at CNN was further evidenced when plans for the three co-hosts to attend a White House Christmas party together fell apart, as they traveled separately to the event. Radar Online reported that Lemon was livid when an internal CNN newsletter featured the story of his outburst.
Sources claimed that Kaitlan Collins now wishes to spend as little time as possible with Lemon, and the situation has become increasingly “messy.” An insider told The Wrap that the three co-hosts were growing frustrated with the show’s lack of direction and inability to retain legacy viewers.
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Ultimately, Don Lemon’s exit from CNN is a victory for conservative voices tired of the network’s liberal bias and constant promotion of divisive figures. The departure of such a contentious anchor should serve as a lesson for other networks to prioritize journalistic integrity and balanced reporting over partisan politics.
Sources: Conservativebrief, New York Post, Radar Online
