CNN fires Don Lemon after 17 years of service

CNN has parted ways with its foremost anchor, Don Lemon who co-anchored its morning show.

The highly-celebrated presenter was ironically let go based on accusations of misogyny and misbehaviour.

Reacting to his dismissal on Twitter, Lemon said “I am stunned,” when he was told by his agent he had been let go

Lemon’s dismissal comes after remarks made by him on live that Nikki Haley, a Republican, was not “in her prime” at age 51.

The firing also follows another significant US media exit. Fox News made the announcement that primetime personality Tucker Carlson was leaving the network just before Lemon’s announcement.

Lemon has been a stalwart of the network for a long time; most recently, he co-hosted CNN’s This Morning show.

But he got into trouble earlier this year for remarks he made about Nikki Haley, a Republican candidate for president who is also the governor of South Carolina and a former UN ambassador.

Lemon’s statement in February that Ms. Haley was not “in her prime” was widely criticized as misogynistic.

“When a woman is considered to be in her prime – in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s,” he said.

“I’m just saying what the facts are – Google it,” he added, in response to objections from his female co-hosts, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.

Lemon issued a statement on the same day saying he regretted his “inartful and irrelevant” comments. He also apologised to the newsroom and agreed to partake in “mandatory training” to address the incident.

But the remarks sparked widespread criticism, including from actress Michelle Yeoh, 60, who appeared to reference the comments in her Oscar’s acceptance speech last month, saying: “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever past your prime.”

In a tweet on Monday, Ms Haley appeared to address the firing, calling it a “great day for women everywhere” adding “#StillInMyPrime”.