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