Former 'Today' host Matt Lauer fuming over BFF Don Lemon spreading rumors about his marriage: Source
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Don Lemon’s penchant for gossip may have just cost him a powerful ally.
The ex-CNN anchor has allegedly been telling people that former 'Today' host Matt Lauer is engaged but insiders insist it’s completely untrue.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon accused of spreading false engagement rumors
According to sources close to Matt Lauer, the 67-year-old broadcaster has no intention of marrying his longtime girlfriend, Shamin Abas, 54, and he’s reportedly livid that Don Lemon is spreading misinformation.
Lauer is reportedly "furious" with Lemon for using his name to stir up publicity. “Matt has made it clear he will never marry again, and he’s not happy about Don's false claims,” an insider revealed.
Lemon and Lauer’s unlikely friendship developed through their mutual connection with Jeff Zucker, the former CNN chief who once ran NBC when Lauer was the face of 'Today'. They’ve been spotted dining together, and Lauer even attended Lemon’s wedding last year.
Some insiders say Lemon thrives on drama and can’t resist name-dropping to stay relevant. “He craves attention and constantly name-drops,” a source claimed. "On the flip side, Matt is not keen on being dragged back into the media frenzy, clearly disinterested in being a pawn in Don’s PR game.
As Lemon struggles to recover from his CNN exit in 2023, Lauer has maintained a low profile. Meanwhile, Lemon has been making moves behind the scenes, reportedly gunning for Dan Abrams' primetime slot at News Nation.
Don Lemon’s comeback bid hits a wall as old CNN feud resurfaces
Don Lemon is eyeing a major comeback, but sources say his path to redemption is tangled in past rivalries and newsroom grudges.
“Don’s desperate to shine again,” an insider revealed. “He’s putting everything on the line for this one chance!" they added
Chris Cuomo, the 54-year-old journalist, who rebuilt his career at News Nation after his own CNN exit in 2021, isn’t exactly welcoming Lemon with open arms.
According to sources, there’s lingering bad blood between the two. “Don and Chris have history, and not the warm and fuzzy kind,” a second insider shared. “When Chris' 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," they further said.
Some sources suggest that Lemon is a long shot for the position.
While insiders close to Cuomo insist he wishes Lemon well, others argue that he isn’t one to easily forget past grievances. An industry source shared, “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 source said.
Cuomo, a seasoned news anchor, was fired in 2021 after violating CNN’s journalistic standards by advising his brother, then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on handling harassment allegations from former staffers.
