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Lemon said that he's \"stunned\" and learned the news from his agent.

\"After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,\" Lemon wrote on Twitter. \"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.\"

CNN, however, said that \"Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate,\" adding that the journalist \"was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.\"

The news came hours after Lemon co-hosted \"CNN This Morning\" alongside Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.

CNN CEO Chris Licht told employees the network is \"committed\" to the \"success\" of \"CNN This Morning.\"

\"PHOTO:
Cindy Ord/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: Don Lemon attends the 2023 Center Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street on April 13, 2023 in New York City.
>

At the top of Tuesday's show, Harlow and Collins addressed Lemon's departure.

\"Don was a big part of this show over the last six months,\" Collins said.

\"He was one of the first anchors on CNN to have me on his show,\" she added. \"That's something I'll obviously never forget. ... We wish him the best.\"

\"Don was one of my first friends here at CNN,\" Harlow said. \"I'm so thankful to have worked alongside him and for his support for nearly 15 years here, and I wish him all good things ahead.\"

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