Al Sharpton was incensed and “shocked” that CNN fired Don Lemon and demanded that the cable news organization give a “full explanation” for its decision.
Sharpton released a statement after Lemon was fired on Monday.
“We are completely stunned at the termination of Don Lemon,” the statement said.
“Throughout his career, Don has been a superb journalist who was very open to the civil rights community on issues others wouldn’t touch,” the company continued. “Don’s voice has been invaluable to the conversation of how we become a more just nation. With the health of our democracy undergoing perhaps its greatest test, we cannot afford to silence his voice.”
Sharpton went on to cite Lemon’s statement and demand that CNN give a full account of its decision.
“We would like to know what he alludes to when he said there are greater things at play, which is why we urge for a full explanation as to why he was let go in such a fashion,” the statement concluded.
Others were not as shocked at Lemon’s firing given the many controversies that arose during his tenure at CNN.
Some viewers were offended at Lemon’s behavior during CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage when he appeared to get drunk on-air as the evening progressed.
Lemon was accused of sexual harassment in a lawsuit from 2018, but his accuser later recanted his claims and said that he had misremembered the incident.
A bombshell report said that Lemon was misogynistic and sexist in his interactions with his colleagues. In one shocking incident, he is alleged to have texted threats to Kyra Phillips while she was on assignment in Iraq.
Another report said that CNN executives were exasperated at a contentious interview Lemon had with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy during which he berated the entrepreneur for opining about racism in the U.S. without being black.
Here’s more about the firing of Lemon:
CNN Fires News Anchor Don Lemon After 17 Yearswww.youtube.com
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