Don Lemon Breaks Silence About CNN Firing, Says He Refused To Platform ‘Liars & Bigots’
Don Lemon Breaks Silence About CNN Firing, Says He Refused To Platform ‘Liars & Bigots’
Don Lemon finally addressed his termination from CNN after 17 years, and he didn’t hold back.
During a recent interview, the former morning show host discussed the need to “tell the truth” as a journalist and an American.
Don Lemon said,
“I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist but as an American, to tell the truth, and to abide by the promises of the Constitution — because the Constitution says a more perfect union, not a perfect union. I’m not a perfect person — no one is. In order to fulfill the promise of the Constitution, we have to stand up for what is right. We have to stand up for the truth.”
He continued,
“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. … I think that would be a dereliction of journalistic duty to do those sorts of things.”
As previously reported, back in April Don Lemon took to Twitter and shared he was fired from CNN. In part, he expressed that he hadn’t received “any indication” that he would no longer be able to work with the network. He continued,
“It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
In response to his allegations, CNN refuted the notion that Lemon didn’t receive adequate notice, asserting that he had been given the chance to meet with management but chose to issue a statement on Twitter instead.
While CNN did not provide an explanation for the decision to fire Lemon, he had been involved in some controversies, including an incident in February when he made sexist remarks regarding Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Lemon apologized and went off the air for a few days.
Chris Licht, the network’s chief executive, resigned earlier this month amid a widely criticized choice to arrange a town hall meeting with Donald Trump in May.
Although Lemon claimed he’s not in a rush to locate or force his next position, the news of Licht‘s resignation spurred speculation that he could return to CNN.
What are your thoughts on what Don Lemon shared? Let us know in the comments!
[VIA]