Don Lemon Insists He's Not Leaving CNN After Saying 'Changes Are Coming'

CNN host Don Lemon has insisted he is not leaving the network after claiming on his show on Friday that "changes are coming."

Prior to his Friday broadcast, Lemon shared a video on social media teasing an "announcement about the show" and an "end of an era." After making the latter comment, he added: "Should I say that?"

Speaking on air on Friday night, he expanded on these hints.

"So earlier I told you I have an announcement, and I do," he said.

"It's been really, really great. This is the last night that will be CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. So I appreciate all the years of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, but changes are coming and I will fill you in."

He went on to speak of his pride in his CNN special about Marvin Gaye's album What's Going On? which was broadcast after the conclusion of CNN Tonight.

Lemon later posted a video responding to reaction to his comments about the changes he mentioned.

"So I got back down to my office after the show—everybody calm down," he said in this clip, shared on Twitter.

"I didn't say I was leaving CNN, I just said it was the end of an era for CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. I'm not leaving CNN, so you will have to tune in Monday at 10 o'clock to see. That's it. So relax. I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving."

Alongside this video, shared to his 1.3 million Twitter followers, he wrote: "Hey everyone. Not what you think. I'm not leaving CNN. Tune in for the handoff on Monday at 10pE and I'll explain."

This video had 390,000 views at time of writing. Lemon also shared the clip to his 695,000 Instagram followers. The video has been played on that platform 67,000 times at time of writing.

Several fans reacted with relief and told him via social media that they were pleased he was not leaving the network.

As well as his solo comments on the matter, Lemon also separately told fellow CNN host Chris Cuomo there would be "more to come" over the weekend.

CNN Tonight with Don Lemon airs on weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ET. Lemon began presenting the show in 2014.

Lemon's bio on CNN says he joined the network in September 2006.

As well as hosting Tonight, Lemon serves as a correspondent across other CNN programming. As well as this, he has moderated political town halls and co-moderated the first 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate for CNN.

Newsweek has contacted CNN for comment on Lemon's remarks.