Don Lemon, the former CNN host, has come under renewed scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment made by himself during a recent podcast appearance. Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, characterized his experiences at the network as fraught with harassment from both female and male colleagues.
Diving into specifics, Lemon shared on HBO’s podcast, Club Random, details of an incident involving a “young lady” who allegedly playfully “tweaked my nipples” while commenting, “Oh, it’s cold in here!” This occurred during what should have been a routine moment in the CNN cafeteria, but for Lemon, it highlighted a troubling double standard. He remarked, “I said, ‘OK, you realize if I did that they’d be walking me out the door right now?’ But I didn’t care to go to HR.”
Lemon continued to elaborate, mentioning that a woman, who was aware of his sexual orientation, harassed him on multiple occasions at work-related events shortly after he joined CNN. He described this harassment as “bizarre” and ultimately chose not to report it, fearing potential repercussions. “First of all, I thought, like, ‘OK, they may find a way to get rid of me because if I told this story, I don’t know if they’re going to believe me or not,” he said. “But then she was so mean to me after that, I was like, ‘I should’ve told the story.'”
The former anchor expanded on the context behind some of these encounters: “Remember, this was a while ago, and there was no Uber or anything like that. If you’re in Atlanta, the taxis aren’t available. And so you say, ‘Hey, we have had a couple drinks, do you mind if I like’… ‘No, no, no, don’t go home, stay in the guest room.’ That sort of thing.”
During the podcast, Lemon reflected on the broader dynamics of gender in the workplace. “I’m an adult, and maybe I think it is different for men and women, depending on the power structure. I think it’s flattering as long as you can send them off easily. As a man, I could say, ‘No, I’m not interested,’” he pointed out. He explained that he felt he could manage these situations himself without escalating them to human resources.
Included in the discussion were the incidents leading to Lemon's termination in April 2023. His firing came after a series of impactful controversies, particularly his remarks regarding Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor. When Haley announced her presidential campaign, Lemon stated she was past her “prime,” which resulted in significant backlash and was widely labeled misogynistic.
Lemon's controversial comments did not stop with Haley. Just months earlier, in December 2022, he stirred further controversy by asserting that male athletes deserved to earn more than their female counterparts due to greater interest in men's sports. This prompted a fierce debate, especially after subsequent discussions with co-host Poppy Harlow, where he attempted to justify his stance by arguing about public interest and skill levels.
His contentious history at CNN reportedly dates back even further, with Variety documenting a pattern of clashes with female colleagues. From their analysis, incidents trace back to 2008 when Lemon co-anchored alongside Kyra Phillips on CNN’s Live From. The revelations of such an internal environment paint Lemon's tenure at CNN as increasingly problematic, culminating in his eventual dismissal.
Despite his apparent struggles at CNN, Lemon's journey in journalism began in 2006 when he joined the network. Over nearly two decades, he hosted prominent shows, including Don Lemon Tonight from 2014 to 2022 and later co-hosted CNN This Morning with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.
Following his termination, Lemon's allegations add a new layer to the intricate narrative of CNN's workplace culture. They invite questions about gender dynamics, the treatment of employees, and the broader implications of harassment in media. While Lemon faced significant scrutiny for his actions, his disclosures shift the focus on to the behavior of others within the organization as well.
As the story continues to develop, it remains to be seen what impact Lemon's allegations will have on CNN's efforts to cultivate a safe environment for its employees amidst ongoing discussions surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace.
