THE DAILY BEAST
Don Lemon will not appear on CNN’s This Morning Monday as his future on the show continues to be discussed at the highest levels within the network, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Lemon, who was forced to make a groveling apology to CNN staffers Friday for making offensive remarks about women and aging, had been scheduled to anchor This Morning alongside co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, according to a copy of the CNN anchor schedule obtained and reviewed by Confider.
But by Sunday afternoon a new on-air lineup schedule was sent out by CNN management that had the show being anchored by Harlow and Sara Sidner in New York with Collins in Poland, according to two people familiar with the matter.
“There are ongoing conversations about Don’s future,” a person familiar with the matter told Confider. “He is a constant distraction.”
CNN’s CEO Chris Licht rebuked Lemon Friday for the remarks about 51-year-old Nikki Haley being past her prime saying they had left him “disappointed.”
“His remarks were upsetting, unacceptable, and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization,” Licht staffers on the 9am editorial call, according to a read out of the call obtained by Confider.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I did not mean to offend anyone,” Lemon said on the call.
Lemon, who was in Miami with his husband over the weekend, did not appear on CNN This Morning Friday as he had a scheduled day off.
CNN and Lemon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lemon’s agent, Jay Sures, Vice Chairman of UTA, hung up on Confider when asked why Lemon would not be appearing on This Morning Monday. “I am now blocking your number,” he later texted Confider.
