Chris Cuomo trying to block former CNN colleague Don Lemon's primetime comeback, claim insiders
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former CNN star Don Lemon is reportedly hoping for a primetime comeback at NewsNation, but his former colleague Chris Cuomo could be a problem.
Lemon, 58, who had a messy exit from CNN in 2023, has apparently been eyeing Dan Abrams’ soon-to-be-vacant primetime slot at NewsNation, according to RadarOnline. But the path to redemption isn’t exactly smooth—it’s tangled in grudges and a hefty dose of irony.
"Don’s desperate to shine again. He’s putting everything on the line for this one chance!" spilled an insider.
But Cuomo, 54, who clawed his way back into the spotlight after his own scandal-ridden CNN departure in 2021, isn’t exactly waving a welcome banner for Lemon. The tension between them is through the roof, per sources.
Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo have a history and it's like a bad reality show plot
Chris Cuomo’s career as a newscaster notably imploded after his involvement in advising his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, during a scandal in 2020. Back then, Don Lemon kept his distance and left his colleague out to dry. Now, with roles reversed, he is hoping for a lifeline from the very man he once snubbed.
"Don and Chris have history and not the warm and fuzzy kind. When Chris’s scandal blew up, Don couldn’t distance himself fast enough. Now he needs Chris to help him? It’s like a bad reality show plot!" a second insider revealed
Cuomo, who enjoys considerable influence at NewsNation, could singlehandedly make or break Lemon’s chances.
"Chris holds a lot of sway at NewsNation. If Don wants in, he’ll need Chris’s blessing – and that’s no easy feat. Don is controversial, high-maintenance, and not exactly a team player. This isn’t just about Chris – it’s about convincing the whole network he’s worth the gamble!" the tipster added.
The Chris Cuomo factor
While Don Lemon’s chances are looking slim, Chris Cuomo might have other things to worry about. Rumors are swirling that CNN could be plotting a comeback for their former golden boy to help the network reclaim its glory.
"Chris was CNN’s best anchor — and his abrupt departure left a gaping hole the network hasn’t been able to fill," an insider told the National Enquirer, as quoted by RadarOnline. "There’s been a changing of the guard at top levels and now folks are whispering about bringing Chris back."
However, a CNN rep shot down the speculation and told Radar Online: "There’s no truth in this report."
But let’s not forget how messy Cuomo’s exit was. After he was fired by CNN in 2021 for violating journalistic standards, he filed a $125 million lawsuit against the network and eventually found a new home at NewsNation, where he’s rebuilding his brand with a podcast and primetime show.
Don Lemon's fall from grace
Don Lemon’s own journey to the sidelines wasn’t a smooth one either. He was abruptly fired in April 2023 after 17 years with the network, following reports of controversial comments, tense interviews, and whispers of behind-the-scenes clashes with colleagues.
Lemon took to X (formerly Twitter) to air his frustration, claiming he found out about his termination through his agent rather than the network itself. "I am stunned," he wrote, calling it a disrespectful end to his long tenure.
"After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that 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 that there are some larger issues at play," he added.
Post-CNN, however, Lemon hasn’t exactly disappeared. He’s kept his name in the mix by hosting a news show on platforms like YouTube. However, he has since deleted his X account following a fallout with tech billionaire Elon Musk.
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