By Mark Gray
8:53am PST, Feb 28, 2024
_
It's been nearly a year since CNN fired Don Lemon, but the newsman is seemingly getting the last laugh — and laughing all the way to the bank. According to TheWrap, the former primetime host and the network settled for $24.5 million, which is what he was set to receive if his final contract had concluded after three and a half years.
Keep ready for more on Don's unceremonious exit from CNN after 17 years with the news network…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
_
Don Lemon's spring 2023 exit from CNN was dramatic and acrimonious: He said he was let go without any notice whatsoever.
"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly," he said in a statement. "At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do 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. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best," he added.
_
Don Lemon was controversial during his tenure at CNN, but he caught the ire of many viewers after claiming that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley wasn't "in her prime."
"A woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s," he said of the politician, who was 51 at the time.
After being questioned by his CNN co-hosts, he doubled down: "If you look it up. If you Google 'What is a woman in her prime' it'll say 20s, 30s, 40s. I'm not saying I agree with that. So I think she has to be careful about saying that, you know, politicians are in their prime," he said.
"Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing? Or are you talking about prime for being president?" anchor Poppy Harlow asked.
"Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just saying what the facts are," Don responded. "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. She would not be in her prime according to Google or whatever it is."
_
Following Don Lemon's "in her prime" comments about Nikki Haley, an editorial call was held to discuss how to handle the backlash.
"His remarks were upsetting, unacceptable, and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization," then-CNN boss Chris Licht allegedly told staffers. Don responded, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I did not mean to offend anyone."
_
On March 11, Don Lemon will begin the next phase of his career: He's set to launch "The Don Lemon Show" on X.
