Don Lemon is an American television journalist, primarily recognized for his tenure as a CNN host from 2014 to 2023. His early career included anchoring weekend news programs at local stations in Alabama and Pennsylvania. He also served as a news correspondent for NBC's Today and NBC Nightly News. Lemon's journalistic achievements include an Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on the Washington, D.C. snipers' capture and three regional Emmy Awards for his special report on Chicago real estate and a business feature on Craigslist.
1996: Graduation from Brooklyn College
In 1996, Don Lemon graduated from Brooklyn College with a major in broadcast journalism at the age of 30.
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2002: Edward R. Murrow Award
In 2002, Don Lemon received an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the capture of the Washington, D.C. snipers.
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2002: Edward R. Murrow Award
In 2002, Lemon won an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the capture of the D.C. area sniper.
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2009: Ebony Magazine's Most Influential African Americans
In 2009, Don Lemon was voted as one of the 150 most influential African Americans by Ebony magazine.
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2011: Publication of Transparent
In 2011, Don Lemon publicly came out as gay in his memoir, Transparent.
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2014: CNN Prime Time Shows and CNN Tonight
In 2014, CNN began to pilot prime time shows hosted by Don Lemon, including The Eleventh Hour and The Don Lemon Show and he later became the permanent host of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon.
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2014: Don Lemon Tonight
In 2014, Don Lemon achieved prominence as the presenter of Don Lemon Tonight.
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2014: Advocate's 50 Most Influential LGBTQ People
In 2014, The Advocate listed Don Lemon as one of the publication's 50 Most Influential LGBTQ People in Media.
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March 2016: Omarosa Newman Interview
In March 2016, Lemon cut to a commercial break after calling for Newman's microphone to be turned off because she did not want to begin the interview with his original question about a tweet comparing the physical appearances of Trump's wife and US Senator Ted Cruz's wife, which Trump had retweeted.
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December 2016: Native Son Award
In December 2016, Don Lemon was honored with a Native Son Award.
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December 31, 2016: Domestic Extremists Report
In October 2018, Don Lemon cited data from a report stating that there had been 255 fatalities between September 12, 2001, and December 31, 2016, involving domestic extremists.
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2017: Out Power 50 List
In 2017, Out named Don Lemon on its Power 50 list of "the most influential LGBTQ people in the USA."
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January 2018: Trump is Racist
In January 2018, after Trump's "shitholes" comment, Lemon opened CNN Tonight proclaiming, "The president of the United States is racist."
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January 31, 2018: Death of Sister
On January 31, 2018, Don Lemon's sister, L'Tanya "Leisa" Lemon Grimes, died at the age of 58.
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October 2018: White Supremacist Americans
In October 2018, Don Lemon argued that domestic terrorism by white supremacist Americans was a bigger threat than foreigners.
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June 2019: Queerty Pride50
In June 2019, Queerty named Don Lemon one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".
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May 2021: Podcast and Show Retitling
In May 2021, Don Lemon launched a podcast named The Handoff with Chris Cuomo, and CNN Tonight with Don Lemon was retitled to simply Don Lemon Tonight.
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February 2022: CNN+ Talk Show Announcement
In February 2022, it was announced that Don Lemon would host a talk show for CNN's then-forthcoming streaming service CNN+ called The Don Lemon Show.
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April 2022: Release of CNN+ Talk Show
In April 2022, two episodes of The Don Lemon Show were released on CNN+.
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September 15, 2022: CNN Morning Show Co-Anchor Announcement
On September 15, 2022, it was announced that Don Lemon would co-anchor a new CNN morning show with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.
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October 12, 2022: CNN This Morning Title Announcement
On October 12, 2022, it was announced that the morning show would be named CNN This Morning.
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December 2022: Argument over Pay Inequity in Women's Sports
In December 2022, Don Lemon was involved in an onscreen argument with co-anchors over the pay inequity in women's sports, stating "people are more interested in the men".
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2022: Don Lemon Tonight End Date
In 2022, Don Lemon's time as presenter on Don Lemon Tonight came to an end.
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February 19, 2023: Nikki Haley Remarks Controversy
On February 19, 2023, Don Lemon made controversial remarks about Nikki Haley's age and a woman's prime, leading to criticism.
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April 2023: End of CNN This Morning Tenure
Don Lemon's tenure on CNN This Morning ended with his firing in April 2023.
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April 2023: Don Lemon Fired by CNN
In April 2023, Don Lemon was fired by CNN after several on-air controversies and reports of alleged misogyny.
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April 2023: Variety Report on Misogynistic Behavior
In April 2023, a Variety report alleged that Don Lemon had a history of misogynistic behavior towards his colleagues.
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January 9, 2024: The Don Lemon Show on X
On January 9, 2024, Don Lemon announced plans for a new show on X, The Don Lemon Show.
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April 6, 2024: Marriage to Tim Malone
On April 6, 2024, Don Lemon married Tim Malone in New York City.
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