Don Lemon Reportedly ‘Feels Vindicated’ by Turmoil Facing CNN Staff, Including Anderson Cooper

Don Lemon is closely following the news about potential shakeups at CNN amid the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger, Rob Shuter reported in his Naughty But Nice Substack on Monday, March 2.

“Don absolutely feels vindicated,” one media insider told Shuter. “He thinks the culture that pushed him out is finally being exposed.”

Lemon, 60, exited in 2023 amid reports of alleged mistreatment of female colleagues as well as controversial on-air statements about women.

Shuter reported that there was also a “frosty dynamic” between Lemon and CNN stalwart Anderson Cooper, 58.

“Anderson always saw himself as the gold standard,” a former producer claimed. “There was a quiet hierarchy, and Don knew exactly where he stood in it.”

But now, “nobody is safe,” a senior newsroom source told Shuter. “Not even Anderson. When new executives come in, loyalties shift fast.”

“Let’s just say that Don cannot get enough of Anderson working for a friend of Trump,” said one confidant, referring to Paramount boss David Ellison, who has been described as an ally of the president’s administration. “There’s a sense that karma has a long memory.”

Cooper recently left 60 Minutes, explaining he wanted to spend more time with his family. But as the National Enquirer reported, a source said he “didn’t appreciate being second-guessed” by new CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who was hired by Ellison.

The situation at CNN could become equally tumultuous for Cooper, Shuter reported.

“In television news, today’s star can be tomorrow’s restructuring casualty,” veteran network insider told Shuter. “Don learned that the hard way. Anderson may be learning it now.”