*Don Lemon claims he was fired by CNN for refusing to interview conservative “liars and bigots”.
“I have a responsibility as an American — not only as a journalist — to tell the truth and abide by the promises of the Constitution,” Lemon told ABC24 Memphis in his first sit-down interview since benign fired by CNN boss Chris Licht.
“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,” Lemon continued.
We reported previously that insiders claim Lemon plans to write a tell-all book blasting Licht and CNN.
“Don feels like he’s been a gold solider at CNN and that he’s a scapegoat for the failure of the morning show he was forced to co-host with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins,” said a source, RadarOnline.com reports. “He’s looking for payback!”
The network owes Lemon about $25 million under a new contract he signed last September, according to insiders.
In April, CNN initially tweeted that Lemon and the network “parted ways,” writing: “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
After many assumed Lemon’s exit was an amicable decision, the journalist turned to Twitter to express shock that he was fired.
“I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned,” Lemon wrote. “After 17 years at CNN I would have though that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. 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. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
CNN was quick to respond to Lemon’s statement on social media.
“Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,” CNN Communications tweeted on April 24. “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
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READ MORE: Insiders Claims Don Lemon is Planning Tell-All Book Blasting CNN Execs
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