Cha-Ching! Don Lemon Agrees To $24.5M Separation Deal With CNN

Renowned news anchor Don Lemon has reached a separation deal with CNN reportedly valued at $24.5 million, according to TheWrap.

Lemon’s April 2023 departure from the network came after he went from prime time to morning show hosting duties, when he landed in trouble for his comments about former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.

The CNN staple expressed discomfort with age-related discussions. “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” he said on air. “When a woman is considered to be in her prime—in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s.”

CNN’s decision to part ways with Lemon came swiftly after his morning show, marking it as a termination in Lemon’s eyes. On social media, he revealed his surprise at the news: “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”

Lemon felt dismayed that the network didn’t communicate the decision directly to him, and he questioned management’s decency in handling the situation. Former CNN chief Chris Licht’s leadership during this period was tumultuous. He was terminated several months later.

In subsequent discussions with Kara Swisher, Lemon highlighted a misalignment between his vision and CNN’s strategic direction. He said the network did not want him to be part of its evolving strategy, which became evident through public revelations about CNN’s internal dynamics.

“I think that it’s obvious that they didn’t want me to be a part of that,” he said. Undeterred by the separation, Lemon is gearing up for a new venture on Elon Musk’s X platform.

The Don Lemon Show promises a space where he can be “bigger, bolder, freer.” Lemon envisions the show as being widely accessible, available for streaming on various platforms, ensuring viewers can engage with it at their convenience.

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