![Don Lemon gets $25M from CNN](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/1-Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1358703985-1.jpg)
Departure from CNN
![Departure from CNN](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/1-GettyImages-1447256916-1.jpg)
Following his departure from CNN the previous year, Don Lemon reportedly struck a significant deal with the network. According to TheWrap and Page Six, he would be entitled to $24.5 million, equivalent to his salary for the remaining three and a half years of his contract.
Controversial comments
![Controversial comments](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/4-Don-Lemon-coverimages52109770-1-1.jpg)
Don Lemon’s career at CNN came to an end after controversial comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, resulting in the termination of his long association with the network.
A public apology
![A public apology](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/9-Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1448413759-1.jpg)
Despite her journalistic experience, Lemon made a controversial on-air remark suggesting that Nikki Haley, at 51, was no longer in her prime. The statement drew criticism, forcing Lemon to issue a public apology.
A decisive incident
![A decisive incident](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/10-GettyImages-1485742934-1-1.jpg)
The incident proved decisive, leading to Lemon’s departure from the news channel. His words also received considerable media coverage. This incident was not the first to create controversy within the CNN team, according to several sources.
A CNN spokesperson
![A CNN spokesperson](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1976112782-1-1.jpg)
Although TheWrap corroborated the settlement figures, CNN publicly disputed them. A CNN spokesman said the network does not comment on the contractual details of its employees, but said the amount put forward was inaccurate.
A turbulent period
![A turbulent period](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/2-Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1823644751-1.jpg)
Don Lemon’s relationship with CNN came to an end during a turbulent period for the network, notably with the departure of then CEO Chris Licht. In particular, Don was shocked that CNN management had not communicated his dismissal directly to him.
A new project
![A new project](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1499072404-1.jpg)
Don Lemon is reportedly preparing to make a comeback with his new project, The Don Lemon Show, soon to be launched on Elon Musk’s… X platform! Lemon described the upcoming program as “bigger, bolder and freer”.
He joins Tucker Carlson
![He joins Tucker Carlson](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1489507744-1.jpg)
He also praised Elon Musk’s X platform as a frontier of free speech. So he joins Tucker Carlson in this bold direction, to say the least…
A change of influence
![A change of influence](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/02/Don-Lemon-GettyImages-1482104064-1.jpg)
Lemon’s fans will be watching closely to see how the show unfolds on Platform X and whether it marks a shift in influence for the journalist whose media voice has been a mainstay for over a decade.