Don Lemon Speaks Out Following CNN Firing: 'I'm Not A Perfect Person, No One Is'

Ex-CNN host Don Lemon defined why he doesn’t “consider in platforming liars and bigots” in his first sit-down interview because the community fired him in April. (Watch under.)

Lemon, in an interview with ABC’s Memphis, Tennessee, affiliate, opened up about his journalism philosophy after reporter Rudy Williams requested about considerations over his CNN departure.

“I've a duty, not solely as a journalist however as an American, to inform the reality and to abide by the guarantees of the Structure — as a result of the Structure says a extra good union, not an ideal union,” mentioned Lemon.

“I’m not an ideal particular person, nobody is,” Lemon continued. “With a purpose to fulfill the promise of the Structure, we have now to face up for what is true. We've to face up for the reality.”

The firing adopted his sexist “prime” feedback about 2024 Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, his tense debate with GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and a Selection exposé that detailed Lemon’s alleged misogyny towards co-workers. Lemon and CNN disputed the allegations.

“I don’t consider in platforming liars and bigots, insurrectionists and election deniers, and placing them on the identical footing as people who find themselves telling the reality, people who find themselves preventing for what’s proper, people who find themselves abiding by the Structure,” Lemon mentioned.

“I feel that might be a dereliction of journalistic responsibility to do these types of issues.”

CNN this month parted methods with CEO Chris Licht, who confronted criticism over a lot of controversies, together with these involving Lemon.

Lemon, who was at CNN for 17 years, added that isn’t “going to power something” so far as his future is anxious.

“I’m not going to let different folks’s timeline affect me. I do know folks say, ‘I miss you on tv. What's your subsequent transfer?’ I’m figuring that out,” Lemon mentioned.

“I don’t need to be in a rush. I feel folks rush to make choices and so they find yourself making the improper the choices. ... I’m not dashing into something.”