According to the search results, Don Lemon was fired by CNN on April 24, 2023. He had been with the network for 17 years and had most recently co-anchored "CNN This Morning" with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. The circumstances surrounding his departure are unclear, but Lemon described it as a termination and said he was "stunned" by the news. CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht released a statement saying that Lemon will always be a part of the CNN family and that they wish him well in his future endeavors.

Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow addressed Lemons departure on the next episode of "CNN This Morning". Collins said that Lemon was a big part of the show over the last six months and that he was one of the first anchors on CNN to have her on his show. Harlow said that Lemon was one of her first friends at CNN and that she was thankful to have worked alongside him for nearly 15 years. However, tensions had reportedly emerged between Lemon and Collins in the past, with Lemon allegedly screaming at Collins in December 2022 after he claimed she interrupted him during a broadcast of "CNN This Morning".

CNN plans to offer Kaitlan Collins the primetime 9 p.m. timeslot and a new contract, according to a report. Collins had most recently anchored the 9 p.m. news hour last month, and her performance at a town hall that night was said to have the potential to modify, accelerate, or stifle the arc of her career.