Don Lemon says he listens to Ben Shapiro, no longer watches corporate media after CNN ousting

WASHINGTON (TND) — Former CNN host Don Lemon told Puck News Monday he has severed all his ties with corporate media following his separation from the company.

Lemon, in the publication’s “guide to mirth and merriment,” saidhe has instead turned to smaller productions, including conservative ones. He described watching and listening to several right-leaning shows, such as "The Ben Shapiro Show" for “his take on Israel” and "Piers Morgan Unhinged" for “very real, authentic conversations you don’t get in corporate media.”

The news is a contrast to Lemon's previous political inclinations. In 2022, the journalist pinned Hurricane Ian on climate change without evidence while dismissing discourse to the contrary from National Hurricane Center Acting Director Jamie Rohme.

In 2022, Lemon also denied CNN “ever was liberal,” telling CBS host Stephen Colbert the network instead aimed to appeal to "sensible Republicans."

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Lemon parted with CNN in April after being taken off air for after saying Republican candidate Nikki Haley “isn’t in her prime,” a comment some saw as sexist. The host shared apologies via X, then Twitter, saying his remarks were"inartful and irrelevant."

The journalist underwent “formal training” following the comment, then-CNN CEO Chris Licht said.

"I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation," Licht wrote. "He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously."

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Lemon later stated none of the executives at CNN had offered to share the news of his dismissal with him directly. The organization refuted the claim, saying “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.”

Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson announced Monday he intends to launch his own streaming network. The move comes after he was abruptly fired by his outlet the same day as Lemon.