Why Don Lemon's Firing From CNN is a Big Loss for Journalism

  Don Lemon was one of CNN's most renowned anchors, yet faced considerable backlash due to a string of on-air missteps and reports indicating he struggled to connect with his co-hosts. On Monday after 17 years with the network and allegations that he mistreated women he worked with, he was fired due to on-air comments that included sexually-charged language as well as claims that he mistreated female staffers. Variety published a report detailing this behavior - such as sex discrimination and mocking female staffers. 1. He’s a troll. Don Lemon had become one of the most prominent faces on CNN for eight years prior to being moved from hosting Don Lemon Tonight as part of a network overhaul by CEO Chris Licht. But after being placed co-host on an early morning news and analysis show with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow as co-hosts, Lemon struggled to find his voice there as tensions between co-hosts began to arise. An anchor's reputation was severely dented when, in February, he claimed Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley had reached her "prime." Though he issued multiple apologies and agreed to undergo formal training for "formal training", these comments have still plagued his career and life since their appearance. Variety published an expose this month alleging Lemon of engaging in misogynist behavior against female colleagues, such as calling a producer fat directly, mocking and mimicking another colleague, and sending threats texts. Executives at the network had begun to reconsider his position in recent weeks, according to two people familiar with their thinking. Furthermore, they had become more cognizant of any ratings issues he was experiencing on his show, one of the individuals added. At CNN's leadership had come to realize that Lemon's future was no longer viable; his effectiveness on-air had diminished substantially and they decided it was time for them to take another look at his situation, according to these people. Lemon's departure is a blow for CNN and their efforts to revitalize their morning show, but will also reopen discussion over whether CNN should make major changes to their morning program which has struggled under new owner Discovery. 2. He’s a racist. Don Lemon's Firing from CNN Is a Serious Setback for Journalism Don Lemon's recent departure from CNN marks an enormous loss for journalism. His sudden exit came following a year of controversy involving comments that violated women's rights on-air, reports of mistreatment within the network and numerous financial losses to its bottom line. CNN anchor Brian Stelter had been an integral part of its roster for 17 years, becoming one of its most beloved personalities in that time. Yet his abrupt exit comes amid financial losses and management changes at CNN. Lemon made headlines earlier this year after making offensive remarks that suggested presidential candidate Nikki Haley wasn't "in her prime" as a woman - prompting outrage across the network and casting an unfortunate light upon Lemon's struggling morning show, CNN This Morning. After his offensive comment, Lemon received a formal reprimand from Chairman Chris Licht, who stated his words were upsetting, unacceptable and unfair towards his co-hosts. Furthermore, Chairman Licht ordered Lemon to meet with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, two female reporters featured on his show according to recordings obtained by The New York Times. Harlow and Collins will remain co-hosts of the program in its current format until an announcement regarding Lemon is made by the network. Since his time with CNN, Lemon has been accused of racism, sexual misconduct and sexual exploitation - including sending threatening texts to another female journalist at CNN. But he has responded strongly against these accusations, dismissing them as untrue and founded in lies. Additionally, he has insisted repeatedly to NBC that he does not consider himself to be racist. 3. He’s a sexist. CNN announced on Monday that anchor Don Lemon has been fired after making headlines for sexism and mistreatment of women during his 17-year tenure with them. As one of CNN's most recognizable faces, his tenure on daytime talk show "CNN This Morning" opened up a Pandora's Box which put him into hot water. Lemon came under fire after making offensive comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley during a segment on CNN This Morning. This clip quickly went viral, prompting many colleagues to call for his firing after Lemon suggested Haley was past her prime at age 51, discussing Haley's suggestion that candidates aged 75 or above undergo competency testing. Lemon later issued an apology in which he indicated his regret at making such insensitive remarks about Haley during her nomination campaign. Just when things could not get any worse for CBS, reports emerged of Lemon engaging in hostile off-screen behavior that has been widely condemned for decades. Variety published a long list of incidents where Lemon mistreated former colleagues such as Nancy Grace and Soledad O'Brien. According to two witnesses who observed Lemon's remarks at an editorial meeting in 2008, Lemon suggested O'Brien wasn't Black during an exchange at that meeting. Lemon also took exception with O'Brien taking over hosting duties for CNN's high-profile "Black in America" docuseries series in 2008. Lemon continued to find ways of offending his conservative audience even after being demoted from primetime, such as likening Trump supporters to Ku Klux Klan members, defending Antifa and criticizing their hospital beds being taken up by those unvaccinated against coronavirus, among many other examples. Lemon never lost the support of his boss Jeff Zucker, who kept him around during a period of house cleaning that saw polarizing hosts like Brian Stelter leave the network. Now under new CEO Chris Licht, however, Lemon appears to be on his way out. 4. He’s a liar. Why Don Lemon's Firing From CNN Is A Terrible Blow For Journalism Don Lemon was fired from CNN earlier today. Having worked there for 17 years and been under significant scrutiny due to his comments during on-air segments and claims of mistreatment of women he worked with, Lemon has come under intense fire in recent months due to allegations that have surfaced about him mistreating them or mishandling their careers in other ways. His departure is an immense loss for journalism as his departure will erode many journalists' careers further down. His most recent sex-related controversy surfaced in February when Lemon made comments implying Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley wasn't "in her prime," drawing swift apologies and calls from women's rights activists for him to be fired from CNN. Lemon used Google as his source for these statements, angering both Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins co-anchors of CNN Newscast Live at this insensitive statement from Lemon. After his comment, Lemon took two days off for vacation before returning to work under orders from CNN CEO Chris Licht requiring "formal training". CNN announced this news in a memo sent out Monday night to staffers. Sources report that Lemon was put on paid leave of absence in December after yelling at co-anchor Kaitlan Collins during a heated segment. Although Lemon returned later, his performance wasn't met with enthusiasm from viewers and suffered ratings setbacks. He has an established track record of alienating and defaming African-Americans nationally, as evidenced by his refusal to cover Florida teen Trayvon Martin's murder. Additionally, in July he called upon African Americans to "pull up your pants" and stop having children out-of-wedlock. He's certainly not the first sexist journalist to make headlines, yet his lasting impression cannot be overstated. Leftist virtue signalers love using him as a lightning rod for virtue signaling; his views on women make him an easy target. 5. He’s a hypocrite. CNN has experienced financial losses and leadership changes. Yet the firing of Lemon represents an enormous setback for journalism. Lemon's departure comes after months of controversy regarding his on-air sexism and reports that he mistreated female colleagues during his 17 years at CNN, including calling a producer fat to her face, mimicking one colleague and sending threatening texts, according to Variety reports. On Friday, CNN chairman Chris Licht called Lemon's boss at CNN, anchorman Don Lemon. Chris informed Lemon - co-anchor of CNN This Morning with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins - that his comments had been upsetting, unfair and distracting to their work at CNN. Licht made an unusual move by notifying employees through a memo that Lemon had agreed to undergo "formal training" regarding his remarks, while also noting that both CNN and Lemon had made public statements apologizing for them. But it's impossible to overlook the hypocrisy of a network that claims to prioritize gender equality and inclusion while permitting or even encouraging discrimination or hateful rhetoric when it serves their interests - such as Lemon. And they themselves serve as prime examples of this double standard. As soon as he became famous, Lemon faced criticism for his racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric, sexual harassment allegations and unfavorable profiles in The New York Times. After being fired from NBC News in 2015, CBS reinstated Lemon; however he was suspended two weeks later following allegations he made offensive comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley that caused controversy.