Don Lemon is opening up about his husband Tim Malone’s help throughout his time as a CNN information anchor.
“His help means all the pieces,” Lemon, 59, completely informed Us Weekly on Friday, June 20, whereas attending the 2025 Hollywood Unlocked Affect Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. “It’s my spine. It’s the particular person I see each single day. And after I can’t stand, he helps me stand.”
Lemon continued, “And so, you realize, identical to every other relationship — straight, homosexual or no matter — that’s my proper hand. To have him there and have him in my nook — that’s my trip or die.”
Lemon, who was awarded the Social Affect Award in the course of the fifth anniversary of Hollywood Unlocked, was the host of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon and later Don Lemon Tonight from 2014 to 2022. He went on to anchor CNN This Morning with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins earlier than parting methods with the group in April 2023.
“Don will perpetually be part of the CNN household, and we thank him for his contributions over the previous 17 years,” CNN CEO Chris Licht stated in a memo to workers on the time. “We want him effectively and shall be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
In his personal assertion, Lemon claimed CNN had fired the previous anchor.
“I’m shocked,” Lemon stated on the time, claiming that administration didn’t have “the decency” to tell him of his termination straight. “At no time was I ever given any indication that I’d not be capable to proceed to do the work I’ve liked on the community.”
Don Lemon speaks onstage in the course of the fifth Annual Hollywood Unlocked Affect Awards on June 20, 2025/ Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Photos
CNN refuted Lemon’s claims, labeling them “inaccurate” in an announcement and claiming Lemon “was supplied a chance to satisfy with administration however as a substitute launched an announcement on Twitter.”
In March, Lemon claimed he was sexually harassed throughout his time at CNN by each women and men.
“I’ve been harassed by ladies and men within the [workplace]. It’s ridiculous,” Lemon informed Invoice Maher whereas showing on the “Membership Random With Invoice Maher” podcast. “There are some issues which are actually egregious, however not all the pieces is Harvey Weinstein degree. I keep in mind after I was in Atlanta and I used to be within the cafeteria [at CNN]. … This younger girl tweaked my nipples and stated, ‘Oh, it’s chilly in right here.’ I stated, ‘OK, you understand that if I did that they’d be strolling me out the door proper now?’”
Lemon stated he by no means reported any of the cases to higher administration. Us reached out to CNN on the time for remark.
Lemon has since cast his personal path by way of social media — although he informed Us it hasn’t all the time been simple.
“It’s powerful for me to set boundaries,” Lemon informed Us of his social media presence as a public determine. “I’ve discovered now to say ‘no,’ they usually’ll ask me why and I’ll simply say ‘no’ simply because I don’t — I’m not . I must handle myself, so my boundaries now’s studying the phrase ‘no’ and ensuring ‘no’ means what it means. ‘No’ means no.”
Along with Lemon, the fifth anniversary of Hollywood Unlocked honored Fantasia with the Inspiration Award, Keke Palmer with the Spirit Award, Niecy Nash Betts with the Fearlessness Award, Vic Mensa with the Group Award and Warren G with the Tradition Award. Comic Tiffany Haddish hosted Friday’s ceremony.
With reporting by Matt Minton