Don Lemon was the brightest star at CNN. Then he became the story

The host of “CNN Tonight” had a cryptic message for viewers just before he signed off from his May 14, 2021, broadcast. Instead of covering the news, Lemon became the news, engaging in heated on-air clashes with his “CNN This Morning” co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins and sparking controversy with inflammatory statements about women’s soccer and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley. They said the “prime” Lemon was referring to was a woman’s reproductive years and that Haley was referring to one’s political prime and mental capacity. Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, responded to Lemon on Twitter and made an appearance on Fox News, calling him and his comments “sexist.” “Look, he made that comment, I wasn’t sitting there saying sexist, middle-aged CNN anchors need to have mental competency tests, although he may have just proven that point,” Haley said. Earlier this month, he was the target of a scathing story in Variety that alleged Lemon has a history of misogynistic actions and “diva-like behavior.” The piece contained accounts from more than a dozen former and current colleagues who “painted a picture of a journalist who flouted rules and cozied up to power all while displaying open hostility to many female co-workers.” The report also alleged that the 57-year-old newsman, who has survived CNN’s regime changes, repeatedly charmed his way “out of facing any meaningful consequences.” Lemon was angered by the story, calling the claims “patently false anecdotes.” Don Lemon with “CNN This Morning” co-hosts Kaitlan Collins, left, and Poppy Harlow.