Is “CNN This Morning” turning into a toxic workplace?
In a Tuesday episode, progressive anchor Don Lemon interrupted a commercial break to critique an interview performed by a colleague.
Lemon presented an opinion monologue in which he criticized co-host Kaitlin Collins’ interview with Republican Rep. James Comer, head of the House Oversight Committee.
Dip💩 @donlemon Calls Off Commercial Break to Go Off on @kaitlancollins Interview With #JamesComer. Which I don't understand, since she did a good job. Props to @PoppyHarlowCNN for standing up for her colleague. pic.twitter.com/TFiznFyqjb
— Sn00pster 🎙️ (@sn00pdad) February 8, 2023
“That’s the time that we’re in, that facts are sort of flexible,” Lemon said of Collins’ interview, apparently upset that she didn’t challenge Comer enough.
Lemon also refused to “move on” when co-host Penny Harlow attempted to shift the conversation away from Lemon’s critique of the interview.
Lemon pushed his team to extend a commercial break at one point, continuing to criticize Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others who “don’t believe in facts or have a common reality.”
Lemon’s remarks was met with backlash. Collins was lauded by Harlow for the interview.
Lemon was also chastised by viewers and observers for his behavior of his female coworkers.
Megyn Kelly, a veteran of cable news, called Lemon’s speech insulting.
I have co-anchored w/the best of them. Never has a colleague so disrespectfully tried to “correct” my interview on the air or “mansplain” to me how I did it all wrong-in front of the audience no less! CNN-how much longer are u going to allow this to go on? https://t.co/edrDwkM5CW
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 7, 2023
Other viewers demanded Lemon be fired from CNN.
He is a bully. He needs to go. Disgusting.
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) February 7, 2023
Another person felt that Lemon was attempting to get fired.
I have co-anchored w/the best of them. Never has a colleague so disrespectfully tried to “correct” my interview on the air or “mansplain” to me how I did it all wrong-in front of the audience no less! CNN-how much longer are u going to allow this to go on? https://t.co/edrDwkM5CW
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 7, 2023
The awkward contact between Lemon and his co-hosts was not the only sign that all was not well at “CNN This Morning.”
Curtis Houck of Newsbusters made a supercut of Lemon and Collins interrupting each other, providing validity to the notion that they don’t get along.
Awkward. Supercut by @CurtisHouck of Don Lemon and Kaitlan Collins interrupting each other on just one broadcast of CNN This Morning. pic.twitter.com/8hw23vFtsT
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 6, 2023
According to Fox News, Lemon revisited the Collins-Comer interview with “The View” co-host Alyssa Fara Griffin later in the show Tuesday morning, and actually applauded Collins, apparently in an attempt to minimize the harm done earlier.
“As I was watching that very good interview by Kaitlin Collins with Comer, and I had to come out and say something because he is citing sources as credible that are not credible, he is talking about facts of something that’s kind of flexible, and maybe you believe one thing or maybe another, facts are facts,” he said.
Last year, Lemon was demoted from heading a CNN primetime show to co-hosting the morning show alongside Harlow and Collins.
He’s apparently struggled to acclimate to working with co-hosts. CNN insiders characterize Lemon’s strained relationship with his co-hosts, which has included workplace squabbles and shouting.