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Don Lemon, the former co-host of “CNN This Morning”, is leaving the network with at least $25 million. However, Lemon has hired high-powered Los Angeles entertainment attorney Bryan Freedman to secure his exit and investigate if he is entitled to a further settlement. Lemon had signed a high $7 million a year contract with CNN in September that runs until 2026.
Freedman is also representing Lemon’s former CNN fired colleague Chris Cuomo, who remains in arbitration with CNN and is demanding $125 million. Cuomo was fired in 2021 for advising his brother, Andrew Cuomo, during the former New York governor’s public scandals.
A source with knowledge of Lemon’s deal at CNN said: “Don was signed on a high seven-figure deal for the morning show last September, and is assured by CNN he will be paid the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2026. He has retained lawyer Bryan Freedman to conclude this deal, and also to investigate if Don could be eligible to further damages surrounding the conditions of his exit.”
Lemon’s tenure at “CNN This Morning” had been a lightning rod for controversy. The dramatic news of Lemon’s firing was announced by the anchor himself, who tweeted that the network informed his agent that he had been let go instead of executives telling him directly. CNN then released a statement denying Lemon’s claim, saying: “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
Earlier this month, CNN boss Chris Licht admitted that the former primetime star has been a “lightning rod” for controversy — days after a damning report in Variety alleged years of “diva-like” and misogynistic behavior by Lemon. Lemon has hired former CNN flack Allison Gollust as his crisis spokesperson following his ouster. An insider added, “There is no irony lost on anyone in the media that Gollust — who covered up her own affair by attacking reporters who dared to ask her about her relationship with Zucker as sexist and misogynists — is now representing Lemon amid his accusations of bullying female colleagues. Don needs to find someone to represent him who has some grasp of the truth.”
