Don Lemon has scored big in his deal to leave CNN.
Per sources close to the situation, the 57-year-old will receive nearly $25 million as part of his agreement to separate from the news network.
The whopping amount would cover his entire pay if he had stayed for the remaining three and a half years of his contract with CNN.
Don Lemon’s Ouster Deal Earned Him $24.5 Million & An Upcoming Show
The drama around Lemon’s departure from CNN began when he made comments about 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley being “past her prime.”
Even though the journalist declared that conversations about age made him “uncomfortable,” he told his “CNN This Morning” co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins during a February 2023 episode of the show:
“She says … politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in [their] 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s.”
When Harlow asked Lemon to explain, he said, “That’s not according to me. If you Google ‘When is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s and 40s. I don’t necessarily — I’m not saying I agree with that.”
Hours after the comment about Haley, Lemon publicly apologized, stating via X, formerly known as Twitter, that he regretted the “reference” he “made to a woman’s ‘prime’ this morning was inartful and irrelevant.”
He also posted, “A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
Although he seemingly agreed to undergo “formal training” and returned to the air one week later, the longtime CNN anchor would once again take to X in April 2023 to announce that CNN had fired him. His lengthy statement at the time began:
“I was informed this morning by my agent 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.”
After claiming that he did not get “any indication” that he would be unable to “continue to do the work” he has “loved at the network,” he added, “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
Lemon wrapped up his announcement with an appreciation to his “colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run.”
Now, with the $24.5 million he has allegedly received from CNN in the ouster deal, the Louisiana native is set to debut a new show on X in the coming weeks. As he mentioned in an update, the show, titled “The Don Lemon Show,” will enable him to be “bigger, bolder, freer.”
He also shared that the show “will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening….This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
Lemon’s Decision To Run His Show On X Garnered A Negative Response From Fans
While running his own show is an incredible win for Lemon, many social media users were less than pleased with his decision to host it on X. To that end, they expressed their displeasure in the comment section of the Instagram post that the Edward R. Murrow Award recipient used to make the announcement.
“So glad you’re back !!!!! I am sorry, but I can’t subscribe to X. I will not support its owner. But please let us know as you branch out and cheers to your next chapter,” one Instagram user commented, as another disclosed, “You had me until ‘X’ sir.”
A third fan pointed out, “I had to reread your sentence about X three times. The biggest space for free speech? Did EM contractually oblige you to write that??? Hope to see you on other platforms.”
Similarly, a fourth unhappy person pondered, “Why X?!? Can’t subscribe to Mr. Wacko anymore. Perhaps find a better platform???,” while a fifth noted, “You were better off using YouTube! X’s popularity is declining by the minute. Don’t go out like this.”
At the same time, a sixth online personality chimed in, “I’m so excited for you! Unfortunately, I just can’t support X, but the SECOND you’re available on other platforms, I will be there with bells on! Good luck and so much love!”