Two controversial news anchors at competing cable networks are out of jobs. Fox News has announced it has severed ties with race-baiting and MAGA supporter Tucker Carlson just one week after the network settled a defamation suit for $787.5 million in part because Carlson joined others in promoting the Big Lie that included claims that Dominion voting machines were fraudulent.
Dominion had alleged that statements made on Carlson’s show after the 2020 election were defamatory. The company claimed that messages between Carlson and his team were proof that they knew claims Dominion’s ballot-counting machines were used to manipulate the presidential election in favor of Democrat Joe Biden were false.
“We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor,” Fox News said in the statement.
The company did not offer an explanation for Carlson’s departure.
At CNN, Don Lemon announced on Twitter Monday that he was absolutely “stunned” by the network’s decision to fire him. Lemon’s termination comes during a year in which the longtime anchor and host had repeatedly run into controversy.
In February, Lemon startled viewers and co-hosts when he implied that GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, was past her prime. Earlier, Haley made comments suggesting that political candidates over 75 should submit to mental competency tests, remarks Lemon and co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins didn’t appear to agree.
“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon said. “When a woman is considered to be in her prime—in her 20s, 30s, and maybe her 40s.”
“Prime for what?” Harlow replied. Lemon then challenged his colleagues to Google when a woman is past her prime.
Harlow provided Lemon with an out, offering that he may have been referencing childbearing years. “Don’t shoot the messenger; I’m just saying what the facts are,” Lemon replied. “Google it.”
In March, a story published by Variety listed allegations against Lemon that he mistreated female colleagues at CNN.
“I am stunned,” Lemon tweeted: “After 17 years at CNN, I would have thought someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network.
“It is clear there are some larger issues at play. With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run.”
CNN countered Lemon’s statement, stating on Twitter, “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
Stacy M. Brown is the NNPA Newswire Senior national correspondent.