Photo:Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com
Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com
Don Lemon is enjoying his free time following hissudden termination from CNNin April, a source tells PEOPLE, adding that the formerCNN This Morningco-host is summering in the Hamptons with his fiancéTim Maloneand mulling various next steps in his career.
“Don is very happy at the moment,” the source says. “He has several opportunities he’s mulling. He’s enjoying his extra bonus time with his fiancé this summer in the Hamptons.”
Lemon, 57, continued: “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. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
CNN has sincerefuted Lemon’s account, saying in a statement that he was “offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
In the wake of his firing, network insiders told PEOPLE that others at the network were reeling and that no one knew the longtime television personality would soon be axed from his role.
“Everyone is shocked,” one source said earlier. “No one knew this was coming. No one. Everyone is floored at the way this was handled and how he was treated.”
Lemon’s firing came after he made remarks about presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley being past “her prime” in a Feb. 16 episode ofCNN This Morning, while discussing politicians' ages in a segment with co-hostsPoppy Harlow, 40, andKaitlan Collins, 30.
Lemon continued, “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 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
Viewers were quick to call Lemon’s remarks sexist and ageist, with many also highlighting that he is five years older than Haley.
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CNN has seen other changes in recent weeks, with CEO and chairmanChris Licht being oustedafter his own series of missteps earlier this month.
source: people.com
