Don Lemon is an American television journalist best known for his tenure at CNN, where he anchored various programs from 2006 to 2023. Born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lemon began his career in regional reporting, working as a weekend news anchor in Birmingham, Alabama, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He later joined NBC, serving as a correspondent for programs like Today and NBC Nightly News, and as an anchor for Weekend Today and MSNBC. Lemon received three regional Emmy Awards for his investigative reporting during his time at NBC.
In 2006, Lemon joined CNN, where he gained prominence as the host of Don Lemon Tonight from 2014 to 2022. He later co-anchored CNN This Morning alongside Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. However, in April 2023, CNN terminated Lemon’s contract following several on-air controversies and declining viewer ratings.
After leaving CNN, Lemon launched The Don Lemon Show on X (formerly Twitter) in January 2024. The show featured interviews with notable figures, including Elon Musk. However, the program was abruptly canceled by Musk after the interview, leading to its publication on YouTube and as a podcast.
In April 2024, Lemon married Tim Malone, his partner of seven years, in a ceremony attended by 140 guests in New York City. Lemon described the marriage as a confirmation of their love and commitment to each other.
In his memoir, I Once Was Lost, released in September 2024, Lemon reflects on his upbringing, career, and personal experiences, aiming to address misconceptions and highlight his support for women’s rights and marginalized communities.
Recently, Lemon revealed that he experienced sexual harassment during his time at CNN, including incidents involving both male and female colleagues. He recounted one instance where a female colleague pinched his nipples in the CNN cafeteria. Lemon chose not to report these incidents due to concerns about being disbelieved or facing professional repercussions.