Don Lemon Alleges Sexual Harassment During CNN Tenure and Beyond
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has publicly stated that he experienced sexual harassment from both men and women throughout his career, including during his almost decade-long tenure at the prominent news network. Lemon, who is openly gay, revealed these allegations during an appearance on HBO host Bill Maher’s "Club Random" podcast, marking a significant disclosure about workplace dynamics he faced in the past.
Lemon’s departure from CNN in 2023 was preceded by controversial on-air remarks regarding then-presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, comments that were widely criticized and contributed to his eventual dismissal. During the podcast interview, Lemon expressed his reasons for not reporting instances of harassment to human resources (HR) or management, citing concerns that it could be used as a pretext to terminate his employment. He also suggested a "double standard" exists for men in reporting such incidents.
"I have been harassed by women and men in the work[place]. And some things are not even – it’s ridiculous," Lemon stated. While acknowledging that some instances were "really egregious," he clarified that not all incidents reached the severity of the accusations leveled against Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer accused of numerous counts of sexual harassment and assault.
Lemon recounted specific instances of alleged harassment, including one incident in the CNN cafeteria where a female colleague jokingly "tweaked my nipples" and quipped, "Oh, it’s cold in here!" He explained that he chose not to report the incident, believing that if he had engaged in the same behavior, he would have been immediately dismissed. "I said, ‘OK, you realize if I did that they’d be walking me out the door right now?’ But I didn’t care to go to HR. I didn’t say anything because I was just like, it’s a double standard, it’s fine."
He also described an alleged incident involving another female employee in Atlanta who harassed him when he was new to the company. "Ive never told this story as well, someone who I worked with also harassed me at CNN, and I never went to management. First of all, I was so new there – a woman, and she knew I was gay. And it was bizarre," Lemon said. "She was going through a divorce, it was just weird. And I never went to management. First of all, I thought, like, OK, they may find a way to get rid of me because if I told this story, I don’t know if they’re going to believe me or not. But then she was so mean to me after that, I was like, I shouldve told the story. But yeah, Ive been harassed by men and women."
When Maher pressed for further details about the alleged harassment by the second colleague, Lemon clarified that the incidents occurred outside of the office and were not comparable to a more blatant form of workplace harassment.
Lemon served as an anchor on CNN for nearly a decade, from 2014 to 2022, hosting "Don Lemon Tonight." His tenure was marked by both high ratings and occasional controversies. His departure from the network in April 2023 followed his controversial remarks about Nikki Haley’s age and accusations of inappropriate behavior towards female colleagues detailed in a Variety report.
Following his CNN dismissal, Lemon attempted a comeback by launching his own media company and briefly partnering with Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter). However, the partnership was short-lived, and Lemon has since sued Musk over its cancellation.
Lemon is now actively producing content for his podcast, "The Don Lemon Show," and sharing videos on platforms like Instagram and X. His recent allegations of sexual harassment have generated significant attention and renewed discussions about workplace dynamics and the reporting of harassment incidents.
CNN declined to comment on Lemon’s allegations.
The disclosure of these allegations adds another layer of complexity to Lemon’s post-CNN career and raises questions about the culture within the network during his tenure. His decision to speak out now, after years of silence, highlights the challenges faced by individuals who fear potential repercussions for reporting harassment.
The fact that Lemon specifically cited concerns about his sexual orientation potentially influencing the credibility of his claims underscores the specific vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace. His allegations may prompt a broader examination of how companies address harassment claims involving individuals from marginalized groups and whether adequate protections are in place to prevent retaliation against those who come forward.
The impact of Lemon’s statements remains to be seen, but it is likely to contribute to ongoing conversations about power dynamics, gender roles, and the importance of creating safe and equitable workplaces for all. The allegations also raise questions about the responsibilities of employers to investigate and address claims of harassment, regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the individuals involved.
Lemon’s allegations will undoubtedly fuel further debate about the complexities of sexual harassment and the challenges individuals face in reporting such incidents, particularly in industries like media where power dynamics are often pronounced.
