Lemon, previously the controversial host of "CNN This Morning," was terminated on Monday after a damaging report exposed allegations of years of "diva-like" and misogynistic behavior.
Speaking to Extra on the red carpet, the 57-year-old Lemon stated, "There are lots of things that come your way that are unexpected, but I'm a survivor." The Baton Rouge native reportedly earned $7 million annually at CNN and is anticipated to receive a $25 million payout.
Lemon also attracted criticism in February when he described 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley as not "in her prime." However, he maintained that he had "no regrets," telling Extra, "I live my life with no regrets and whatever I did, I did, I owned. I don't look back and don't want to change things in the past... Onward."
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He proceeded to express his plans for the future, emphasizing the luxury of time off after his sudden departure from CNN. "I'm gonna spend my summer on the beach and the boat, and with my family," Lemon added, likely alluding to his fiancé, real estate agent Tim Malone.
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The beleaguered former anchor narrowly averted an awkward encounter with his ex-co-anchor Poppy Harlow, 50, and former boss Chris Licht, 51, at the Time 100 event. Organizers, who had not anticipated Lemon's attendance, hastily arranged separate seating arrangements for Lemon, Licht, and Harlow during the dinner.
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An insider commented, "Of course, Don was invited but nobody actually expected him to come tonight. We hope there won't be any awkward moments." Upon Lemon's arrival, Licht appeared somewhat unsettled but was seated with Harlow, who departed the event early to prepare for her role as anchor of "CNN This Morning." Lemon and Malone sat a few tables away with renowned attorney Ben Crump.
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Licht dismissed media speculation that Lemon's termination and Tucker Carlson's exit from Fox were deliberately coordinated, stating to The Post, "I was as floored as everyone else." He also reassured that the network was "business as usual" following the upheaval.
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On Monday, Lemon took to Twitter to lament CNN's lack of "decency" in not informing him directly of his dismissal, hinting at "larger issues at play." This development came on the heels of a Variety report that detailed allegations of a lengthy history of unprofessional and sexist behavior.
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The report claimed that Lemon had sent threatening text messages from an anonymous number to co-anchor Kyra Phillips in 2008, angered by her selection to cover the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Lemon's 17-year stint at the left-leaning news channel, rumored to be transitioning to a more centrist position under new leadership, concluded on Monday. It appears that Lemon had been on management's radar for some time.
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In September, he was removed from his primetime slot and relocated to a morning show, where the incident involving Haley occurred. At the time, he described the move as an "opportunity," asserting, "I was not demoted. None of that. This is an opportunity."
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