Don Lemon Ouster: ‘CNN This Morning’ Anchors Respond to Firing, Say He Was ‘One of My First Friends Here’

thewrap.com:

@TVNewsNow. Watch: CNN’s @PoppyHarlowCNN and @kaitlancollins address news of Don Lemon's termination at the start of ‘CNN This Morning’: "We wish him the best." pic.twitter.com/SzQ8rmGdqELemon was dismissed from his duties at CNN after Monday’s “CNN This Morning” broadcast.

He tweeted the news prior to any official statement from Licht and his cable news network, heatedly writing, “I was informed this morning by my agent that I have terminated by CNN.

After 17 years at 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 to do the work I have loved at the network.” The anchor concluded by saying “it is clear that there are some larger issues at play” and proceeded thank his colleagues and the many teams he have worked with for an “incredible run.”CNN released a statement of its own saying that Lemon’s interpretation of the matter was false, saying Licht and co.

did reach out to the longtime anchor prior to the call with his agent. “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” the network said. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”The statement followed an internal memo from Licht, who pointed out that “CNN This Morning” has been on the air for nearly six months, and the network is “committed to its success.”“CNN and Don have parted ways,” Licht wrote in the memo. “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years.