Don Lemon to receive $24.5 million as part of separation deal with CNN: Report

Former CNN prime-time host Don Lemon is reportedly set to receive around $24.5 million as part of a deal with the mainstream news outlet almost a year after he was fired, according to the New York Post.

The amount Lemon is expected to receive is what he would have earned had CNN kept him on the staff through the remaining three years that were left on his contract. Lemon was dismissed from the outlet in April 2023 after he was accused of misogyny and other misbehavior.

Lemon expressed frustration that he was not informed of being fired by the upper brass of the outlet. Instead, he learned of his dismissal from his agent.

“I am stunned after 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly,” Lemon wrote on social media.

“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,” he continued. “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”

The network claimed that Lemon had the opportunity to meet with management, but he reportedly refused.

However, it appears that this is not the last people will see of Lemon. In early January, Elon Musk's X announced that Lemon would be hosting an exclusive show that would only be available on the social media platform. Others who also secured exclusive shows on the platform were Tulsi Gabbard and sports commentator Jim Rome.

At the time, X posted: "We’re delighted to announce a new content partnership with Don Lemon for his new project, The Don Lemon Show."

"The award winning TV journalist will share his unique and honest voice in 30 minute episodes, three times a week, covering politics, culture, sports and entertainment."

One key element that reportedly led to Lemon's firing from CNN was when he suggested that presidential candidate Nikki Haley was no longer "in her prime," which drew the ire of his co-hosts on the segment.

The Wrap reported that Lemon suggested CNN was going in a direction he did not want a part in.

“CNN, the strategy and their content and the direction they wanted to go in, I was not a part of that,” Lemon later said during a conversation with Kara Swisher.

“They did not want me to be a part of that, and I think that has, from what has played out publicly as it relates to CNN, as it relates to management, and what they’re doing now, I think that it’s obvious that they didn’t want me to be a part of that.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!