June 27th 2023.
After 17 years with CNN, Don Lemon has finally broken his silence about being fired from the network. In an exclusive interview with ABC 24, the veteran journalist admitted that he has no plans of changing or looking back.
He's been taking opportunities to cater to his people, such as traveling to Bluff City, Tennessee, for the Memphis chapter of the NAACP's annual "Freedom Fund" gala. This experience, combined with his first interview with Tyre Nichols' mother, Rowvaugn Wells, sparked his curiosity about his roots and life in the South.
"That made me curious about life; about how things ran, what's behind things and about America," Lemon said. "That's how I ended up becoming a journalist—just by being curious and asking questions."
Not long after Lemon's dismissal, CNN's CEO, Chris Licht, was also fired. Critics and fans looked at Lemon's firing as one of the many mistakes made by Licht, causing a vast decline in ratings. Rumors sparked that Licht's mission was to pull news coverage back to center, catering to both sides of the spectrum regarding certain topics.
When asked if this is why Lemon was dismissed, he told ABC 24 that not telling the truth goes against his journalistic responsibility.
"I don't believe in platforming liars and bigots, insurrectionists, and election deniers and putting them on the same footing as people who are telling the truth; people who are fighting for what's right, people who are abiding by the constitution," said Lemon.
As for what's next, Lemon is in no rush to return to a news desk. He wants to take the time to figure out the right move for his career.
"I'm not going to let other people's timelines influence me," Lemon said. "I know people say, 'I miss you on television. What is your next move?' I'm figuring that out."
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