Don Lemon has reportedly employed an leisure lawyer after he was fired from his job at CNN after 17 years with the community.
The 57-year-old has reportedly introduced Bryan Freedman on board to assist him navigate his subsequent transfer, lower than 24 hours after he introduced his firing.
Sources additionally advised the New York Instances that he hopes to be paid out of his contract with CNN, considered value hundreds of thousands, which was meant to run till 2026.
It’s unclear if CNN intends to pay him the remaining sum, with a supply telling the New York Instances it may lead to a attainable authorized battle.
Freedman can be understood to be representing Tucker Carlson, who was fired from Fox Information on Monday, although the explanations for his firing are usually not at the moment recognized.
Don Lemon has employed superstar lawyer Bryan Freedman to assist him navigate his subsequent transfer after being unceremoniously fired
Freedman has reportedly been employed by Tucker Carlson, who was fired on Monday from Fox Information
Carlson was one of many key faces of Republican politics due to Trump’s presidential win – however his profession has been riddled with controversy, due to the 53-year-old’s opinionated commentary.
His firing got here after Fox was pressured to fork over a historic $787million settlement to a voting {hardware} agency over claims the anchor and different community hosts unfold lies about its machines through the 2020 election.
Freedman and CNN didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from DailyMail.com.
The leisure lawyer, who co-founded Freedman & Taitelman LLP, has represented media personalities in multimillion-dollar fights, together with Chris Cuomo and Megyn Kelly.
Cuomo employed Freedman after he was fired by CNN over revelations that he supplied consulting providers to assist his brother, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, struggle sexual harassment allegations.
Freedman helped Megyn Kelly get $30 million from NBC after they fired her in 2019 – reaching an settlement to pay her complete contract regardless of early termination.
He additionally labored with ex-Bachelor host Chris Harrison to safe a $10 million payout after ABC dropped him when he defended a contestant’s determination to attend a Accomplice-themed celebration.
Insiders say Lemon was eliminated to allow a rethink of the struggling morning present, and partially attributable to his extremely combative interview final week with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Sources additionally advised the New York Instances that Lemon hopes to be paid out of his contract with CNN, considered value hundreds of thousands, which was meant to run till 2026
Insiders say Lemon was eliminated to allow a rethink of the struggling morning present, and partially attributable to his extremely combative interview final week with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy
Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox Information on Monday although the explanations for his firing are usually not at the moment recognized
He was visibly irritated through the phase final week, the place he snapped at producers speaking with him by an earpiece – saying: ‘Please, I can not maintain a thought in case you guys are speaking in my ear.’
Lemon, who has been noticed smiling after his firing, has been in sizzling water repeatedly with the community, with a number of allegations about his conduct in direction of ladies coming to the forefront.
Sources claimed earlier than his sacking that he was ‘upset’ when he realized CNN bosses anticipated him to work alongside Collins and Harlow moderately than as a solo operator.
Lemon reportedly ‘expressed unease’ together with his new place after his 10pm present Don Lemon Tonight was axed amid a reshuffle on the community.
He was additionally ‘below the impression’ that his title could be included within the new morning present, which he was advised was a ‘promotion’.
Lemon’s shock firing got here simply hours after he waved goodbye to the viewers at 8:56am Monday morning.
Harlow and Collins opened CNN’s This Morning for the primary time since Lemon was faraway from the corporate
He seemed relaxed and smiled as he donned a cream teddy-style coat with a navy Ralph Lauren hat and sun shades whereas strolling the pooches
The 57-year-old mentioned in a press release: ‘I used to be knowledgeable this morning by my agent that I’ve been terminated by CNN. I’m shocked. After 17 years at CNN I’d have thought somebody in administration would have had the decency to inform me immediately.
‘At no time was I ever given any indication that I’d not have the ability to proceed to do the work I’ve cherished on the community.
‘It’s clear that there are some bigger points at play. With that mentioned, I wish to thank my colleagues and the various groups I’ve labored with for an unimaginable run.
‘They’re probably the most gifted journalists within the enterprise, and I want all of them the very best.’
Nonetheless CNN hit again at his claims that he was advised by his agent, insisting that they invited him in for a gathering which he refused to attend.
Community CEO Chris Licht confirmed the firing in an inner message, thanking Lemon for 17 years on air and telling employees he would ‘endlessly be part of the CNN household.’
Licht added that he was ‘dedicated’ to the success of CNN This Morning, the flailing morning information present Lemon had been helming with Harlow and Collins.
Collins, who Lemon famously clashed with throughout his time on the present, then added: ‘He was one of many first anchors to have me on his present. That is one thing I will clearly always remember. We want him the very best’
CNN CEO Chris Licht confirmed the firing of Don Lemon on Monday, thanking him for his work over the previous 17 years
Shortly after information of Lemon’s firing broke, a supply advised DailyMail.com ‘Don was given each indication when he made the faux a** apology for his disgusting feedback and, nonetheless, nobody wished something to do with him.’
They continued, ‘Nobody owes him something. He ought to have had the decency to not be a misogynistic, sexist POS.’
‘Don really believed he was going to at all times get a get out of jail free card as a result of he’s black and homosexual, which labored to his benefit till it could not.’
‘It would not matter what coloration you’re or what your sexuality is. He misplaced the respect of the entire ladies on employees, and nobody wished to work with him.’
‘Even after this, he nonetheless acted no in another way and would give the ladies he labored with perspective as a result of he may sense that they felt a sure method nonetheless.
‘Good riddance and good luck getting a job elsewhere.’
Lemon has additionally clashed a number of occasions with White Home Correspondent Kaitlan Collins dwell on air, with the pair repeatedly speaking over one another.
The incident resulted in a bust-up between the pair, with Lemon ‘screaming’ at Collins on December 8, which resulted in her working from the set in tears.
After that, he was reportedly advised to take a day to ‘cool off’ by boss Chris Licht however as a substitute blew up on staffers after an organization publication featured a narrative about his altercation with the White Home Correspondent.
CNN anchor Don Lemon was fired from the community on Monday after months of controversy, and posted a bitter assertion on social media shortly after the information broke
Don Lemon tweeted out his outrage that he had been fired from CNN on Monday afternoon
Lemon waves goodbye on the finish of CNN This Morning – a second that may show to be his remaining look as a CNN anchor after 17 years with the community
Lemon went ‘ballistic’ at staffers who highlighted the spat with Collins, in line with RadarOnline – with the host claiming she ‘interrupted him’ throughout a December broadcast.
Because the incident in December, Lemon was despatched to Memphis and on different assignments, whereas Collins labored remotely from Washington DC on a number of events in January.
He was pressured to apologize two months in the past after making a jibe at Republican GOP candidate Nikki Haley – saying she was previous her prime.
Lemon was then pressured to endure ‘formal coaching’ after making the sexist feedback dwell on air.
Harlow took a ‘effectively timed’ toilet break and was adopted into the lavatory by Collins after the remark – with a supply including the tense relationship has been ‘smoldering for months’.
Lemon reportedly ‘expressed unease’ together with his new place after his 10pm present Don Lemon Tonight was axed amid a reshuffle on the community
He was pressured to apologize two months in the past after making a jibe at Republican GOP candidate Nikki Haley – saying she was previous her prime
Lemon reportedly angered each his CNN This Morning co-hosts, Kaitlan Collins (left) and Poppy Harlow (proper), together with his on-set conduct
Lemon missed the present for 3 days straight, with insiders saying he’s conscious that he’s on his ‘remaining warning’ after a sequence of insulting blunders on the early-morning present.
Licht, who has slammed Lemon’s remarks, despatched a memo to staffers Monday saying that Lemon has agreed to take part in coaching.
In accordance with a memo despatched to staffers on the time, Licht mentioned: ‘I sat down with Don and had a frank and significant dialog.
‘He has agreed to take part in formal coaching, in addition to persevering with to hear and study. We take this example very severely.
‘It is very important me that CNN balances accountability with a fostering a tradition wherein individuals can personal, study and develop from their errors.’
Lemon returned to the present after the controversy, however didn’t acknowledge the backlash he confronted dwell on air – as a substitute issued a groveling apology on-line moments earlier than the present began.
Licht beforehand mentioned that the remarks had been ‘upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and in the end an enormous distraction to the good work of this group’ throughout an editorial name.
Lemon was former CNN’s CEO Jeff Zucker’s primetime liberal mouthpiece for years
CNN have refuted Lemon’s model of occasions, saying he was given the chance to satisfy with administration earlier than he was fired
Don Lemon advised viewers to ‘Google it’ when his co-hosts pushed again on his claims about ladies being ‘previous their prime’ over 40-years outdated
Lemon tweeted simply earlier than occurring air: ‘I respect the chance to be again on CNN This Morning at present.
‘To my community, my colleagues and our unimaginable viewers — I am sorry. I’ve heard you, I am studying from you, and I am dedicated to doing higher. See you quickly.’
The host took an unscheduled break day, after jetting off to Miami together with his fiancé on a deliberate journey – which conveniently coincided with the backlash.
He additionally misplaced out on an interview with disgraced Congressman George Santos to TalkTV’s Piers Morgan following his feedback.
Per week prior he was shot down by Collins and Harlow after they accused him of mansplaining why the US males’s soccer crew ought to receives a commission extra – regardless of their lack of success.
He insisted that he was joking when he mentioned that males had been ‘extra fascinating to look at’- with the interplay making for awkward viewing.
CNN This Morning has suffered a scores bomb and early final month skilled its least-viewed week since launch, averaging simply over 330,000 viewers.