History of Don Lemon in Timeline
Don Lemon is an American television journalist who gained prominence as a CNN host from 2014 to 2023. His career began with anchoring weekend news in Alabama and Pennsylvania. He then served as a news correspondent for NBC's Today and NBC Nightly News. Lemon's journalism has been recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the Washington, D.C. snipers' capture. He also received three regional Emmy Awards for his Chicago real estate special report and a feature on Craigslist.
1955: Inspiration for the Native Son Award
In 2016, Don Lemon was awarded the Native Son Award, named after James Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son from 1955.
March 1, 1966: Don Lemon's Birth
On March 1, 1966, Don Lemon was born. He is known for his career as a television journalist and host on CNN.
1996: Graduation from Brooklyn College
In 1996, Don Lemon graduated from Brooklyn College with a major in broadcast journalism at the age of 30.
September 12, 2001: Start of Government Accountability Office study on fatalities
Between September 12, 2001, and December 31, 2016, a Government Accountability Office study reported 255 fatalities due to domestic extremists, with far-right extremists causing more deaths than Islamic extremists in 10 of the 15 years tracked.
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.
2006: Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards
In 2006, Don Lemon earned three Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards for his reporting while at WMAQ-TV in Chicago.
2008: Alleged Misogynistic Behavior Begins
In 2008, it was reported that alleged instances of Don Lemon's misogynistic behavior began towards his colleagues.
2009: Ebony Magazine Influential African Americans
In 2009, Don Lemon was voted as one of the 150 most influential African Americans by Ebony magazine.
2011: Release of Transparent Memoir
In 2011, Don Lemon released his memoir, Transparent, in which he publicly came out as gay and discussed other personal issues.
2014: Pilot Prime Time Shows
In 2014, CNN began to pilot prime time shows hosted by Don Lemon, including The Eleventh Hour and The Don Lemon Show.
2014: Don Lemon Tonight
In 2014, Don Lemon achieved prominence as the presenter of Don Lemon Tonight.
2014: The Advocate: 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.
March 2016: Interview Interruption
In March 2016, Don Lemon was interviewing Omarosa Newman and Kellyanne Conway about the Republican presidential primary and called for Newman's microphone to be turned off during an interview.
December 2016: Native Son Award
In December 2016, Don Lemon was honored with a Native Son Award.
2016: Met Tim Malone
In 2016, Don Lemon met Tim Malone, who he later began dating.
December 31, 2016: End of Government Accountability Office study on fatalities
Between September 12, 2001, and December 31, 2016, a Government Accountability Office study reported 255 fatalities due to domestic extremists, with far-right extremists causing more deaths than Islamic extremists in 10 of the 15 years tracked.
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."
January 2018: Trump is Racist
In January 2018, Don Lemon opened CNN Tonight by stating that "The president of the United States is racist" after Donald Trump referred to certain countries as "shitholes."
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.
October 2018: Remarks on White Supremacist Terrorism
In October 2018, Don Lemon argued that domestic terrorism by white supremacist Americans was a bigger threat than foreigners, sparking controversy.
June 2019: Pride50 Recognition
In June 2019, Don Lemon was named one of Queerty's Pride50 "trailblazing individuals" for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
May 2021: The Handoff Podcast
In May 2021, it was announced that Don Lemon, along with Chris Cuomo, would launch a podcast named The Handoff.
February 2022: The Don Lemon Show on CNN+
In February 2022, CNN announced Don Lemon would be hosting a talk show for CNN's streaming service CNN+ called The Don Lemon Show.
April 2022: Release of The Don Lemon Show
In April 2022, two episodes of The Don Lemon Show were released on CNN+.
September 15, 2022: New CNN Morning Show
On September 15, 2022, it was announced that Lemon would co-anchor a new CNN morning show with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow later in the year.
October 12, 2022: CNN This Morning Name Announcement
On October 12, 2022, it was announced that the morning show would be named CNN This Morning.
December 2022: Argument Over Women's Sports Pay
In December 2022, Don Lemon was involved in an argument with co-anchors over pay inequity in women's sports, claiming that "people are more interested in the men".
2022: End of Don Lemon Tonight
In 2022, Don Lemon ended his role as the presenter of Don Lemon Tonight.
February 19, 2023: Remarks on Nikki Haley's Age
On February 19, 2023, Don Lemon made controversial remarks about Nikki Haley's age and a woman's prime, leading to criticism and an apology.
April 2023: End of CNN This Morning Tenure
Don Lemon's tenure on CNN This Morning ended with his firing in April 2023.
April 2023: Firing from CNN
In April 2023, Don Lemon was fired by CNN following on-air controversies.
April 2023: Variety Report on Misogyny Allegations
In April 2023, a Variety report alleged a history of misogynistic behavior by Don Lemon towards colleagues, which he denied.
April 24, 2023: Firing from CNN
On April 24, 2023, Don Lemon was fired by CNN, with conflicting accounts regarding the manner of notification.
2023: Departure from CNN
In 2023, Don Lemon left his role as a host on CNN.
January 9, 2024: Announcement of "The Don Lemon Show" on X
On January 9, 2024, Don Lemon announced plans for a new show on X, called "The Don Lemon Show".
April 6, 2024: Marriage to Tim Malone
On April 6, 2024, Don Lemon married Tim Malone in New York City.
2026: Contract Expiration
Don Lemon's contract with CNN would have expired in 2026.
