Longtime CNN contributor and host Don Lemon was recently fired (on the same day journalist and legally-proven liar Tucker Carlson was removed from his Fox News hosting gig, no less) from his position as host of CNN This Morning.
The news came as a shock, not only to anyone who follows entertainment news, but evidently to Lemon himself; the former CNN correspondent posted on Twitter that the company had terminated him without notice. “After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” Lemon wrote in his statement. “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.” CNN then rebutted his version of events, tweeting that he “was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
CNN let go of Lemon after the host was scrutinized for comments he made about presidential candidate Nikki Hailey, who he criticized as being past “her prime.” Following his comments, Variety published a report alleging years of Lemon being sexist and misogynist to his female coworkers. Earlier this month, he was reportedly looking into filing a lawsuit against the outlet for the report, but now that CNN has severed ties with him, he might have bigger things to worry about.
How much is Don Lemon actually worth?
As Lemon’s been with CNN since 2006, he’s had plenty of time to acquire a sizable amount of wealth. Most sources online, including Celebrity Net Worth, list Lemon’s total net worth as $12 million, but some list it as high as $31 million. His contributions to CNN helped Lemon earn an annual salary of roughly $4 million, which has helped him reportedly own two homes in Harlem and Long Island, New York.
Lemon’s work with CNN, and other networks like NBC, not only led him to financial success, but also earned him critical recognition in the form of three Emmys. If the allegations against Lemon are indeed true (and his on-air track record hasn’t been great in recent years), it’s sad to see him throw that journalistic values away in order to chase fame.
It’s unlikely Lemon will be hurting for cash after leaving his CNN gig, but no matter where he ends up next, he’s likely going to have to take a pay decrease. Like the newly-jobless Carlson, Lemon has a decently large net worth (as far as we can gather from these sources at least) and while his job options will now be limited, he can always start a podcast.