Former CNN host Don Lemon spoke to the media for the first time since being fired on Monday, at a red carpet event on Wednesday. Lemon, 57, appeared in high spirits at the Time 100 gala in New York City, despite his departure and alleged behavior in the workplace.
“I don’t have to rush to another job — even if I want another job,” Lemon said on the red carpet. “I want to work again. But I am lucky enough to be in a position where I don’t have to worry about those things.”
Lemon spoke to various media outlets at the gala, saying he was “doing well” and “happy to be moving in a new direction.” He expressed that he’ll miss his friends and colleagues at CNN, but life goes on. “That’s behind me, and we’ll see what happens in the future,” he said.
Lemon issued a statement on Monday after being fired, saying that he was “stunned” and also revealing that he was informed by his agent of his termination. He did not elaborate on the reasons for his dismissal, and CNN has not publicly commented on the matter.
Lemon had been a host at CNN for over a decade, and had been known for his outspoken and controversial comments. In recent years, he had been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and his administration, often drawing criticism from conservative commentators.
It remains to be seen what Lemon’s next move will be, but it’s clear that he’s not letting his firing get him down. The veteran journalist and commentator has been a fixture in the media landscape for years, and it seems likely that he’ll find a new platform to share his views and opinions with the world.
