Don Lemon said he had no regrets and “owns” his actions after being fired from CNN following his 17-year stint with the network.
Lemon announced his firing on Monday, saying he was “stunned” after being informed of the decision by his agent, and lamenting the lack of “decency” in the handling of the situation, which CNN rejected as “inaccurate”.
The news anchor hit the red carpet at the Time 100 Gala in New York City following his axing and spoke to Extra Tv about the channel’s decision.
Lemon called himself a “survivor” and said a lot of people love and support him.
“I live my life with no regrets. I did what I did and I own it, and so no, I don’t look back and I don’t want to change things in the past,” he said in the interview.
“There are lots of things that come your way that are unexpected, but I’m a survivor. I come from strong, sturdy stock in Louisiana and a lot of people are rooting for me and who love me.
“Life goes on. That’s behind me and we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Speaking about his future plans, the former This Morning co-anchor said he is not going to jump to work immediately but has plans to enjoy his summer with his boyfriend and family at the beach.
“’I’m gonna spend my summer on the beach and on the boat, and with my family,” he said.
“Just chill out and then I’ll see what happens next, but I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I can do that.”
He said he does want to work again and is “excited for a new chapter, because I think, you know, life is short and whatever life hands you, you have to bob and weave and do it”.
The surprise decision by the network came as Lemon had been mired in a string of controversies in recent months – with accusations of making offensive on-air comments about women and of mistreating female coworkers off-camera.
Lemon strongly denied accusations against him, which included claims of workplace misogyny and “diva-like behaviour”.
A source-based report in Variety alleged that he had disrespected CNN co-hosts Nancy Grace on air and broadcaster Soledad O’Brien during an editorial meeting, among other things. According to fellow colleagues, Lemon mocked Grace by mimicking her on air.
A CNN spokesperson, however, said Variety story provided “no actual proof, and instead relies on anonymous sources” and unsubstantiated claims.
“CNN is unable to corroborate the alleged accounts,” it said.
Lemon also made inflammatory remarks about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s age in February, saying she wasn’t “in her prime”.
He was later pulled out by the network from his morning broadcast, and he was made to undergo “formal training”. Upon his return, he tweeted an apology, “I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better”.
Lemon arrived to the event along with his boyfriend, Tim Malone and said “he’s my biggest supporter”.
When Mr Malone was asked if Lemon was “driving him nuts”, he laughed and said no but “just a little bit”.
“I always drive him nuts,” Lemon said in a light-hearted moment. “It’s nothing different. But as you know, he’s my biggest supporter.”
