In news that shocked the media Monday, Tucker Carlson and Fox News parted ways. Carlson’s departure came after Fox News’ whopping $800 million settlement pursuant to a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. Somebody’s scalp had to be taken, Fox decided it had to be Carlson’s. Media outlets appear to be no longer willing to accept major missteps. Shortly after the Carlson firing, CNN announced it had fired 17-year veteran Don Lemon, leaving Lemon “stunned”:
In an announcement that Mr. Lemon said left him “stunned,” CNN on Monday declared an end to its longtime relationship with Mr. Lemon, a star anchor who was a fixture of the network’s prime-time lineup before enduring a short but controversial tenure as a morning show co-host.
“CNN and Don have parted ways,” Chris Licht, CNN’s chairman, said in a statement. “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.”
That benign language contrasted sharply with Mr. Lemon’s interpretation of the day’s events. In a scathing message on Twitter, he told viewers that his talent agent had abruptly informed him “that I have been terminated by CNN.”
Lemon received national attention for his coverage of the uprisings in Ferguson, MO after Michael Brown had been shot and killed by police. Lemon was in the thick of things and took some criticism for being insensitive to the feelings of local residents who had been harassed for years. However, Lemon recovered from early criticism from Blacks and ultimately became one of the go to persons for news coverage on black issues. Lemon took to Twitter and exclaimed how he was “stunned” by the termination:
I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by 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 the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play. With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run.
Lemon feasted on Donald Trump-related news when Trump was president. Lemon and CNN continued the Trump narrative after he exited the white house, which contributed to CNN’s sagging ratings and sagging ratings on Lemon’s prime time show. He was castigated to CNN’s morning show with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins after CNN shuttered Lemon’s prime time show. Lemon performed horribly when he was no longer the headliner. A famous dust up with former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, may have signaled the beginning for the end for Lemon. He implied Haley, aged 51, was past her prime for a female politician. This sparked accusations of sexism that Lemon obviously never recovered from.
Now that Lemon has some free time on his hands, he is more than welcome to appear as a guest on Trump and the GE, the nation’s top podcast hosted by the Shock Exchange.
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