Don Lemon Net Worth

What Is Don Lemon's Net Worth and Salary?

Don Lemon is an American journalist and television news anchor who has a net worth of $20 million.

Over two decades, Don Lemon became one of the most recognizable faces in cable news, particularly through his long association with CNN, where he evolved from a traditional news anchor into a polarizing prime-time personality.

Lemon began his journalism career in local television news, working as a correspondent and anchor in markets such as Philadelphia and Chicago. He joined CNN in 2006, initially serving as a correspondent covering major breaking news events, including Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq War, and the Washington, D.C. sniper case. During this period, Lemon was viewed largely as a straightforward reporter with strong on-the-ground experience and credibility in hard news.

His public profile rose significantly when he became the anchor of CNN's late-night programming, eventually hosting "CNN Tonight." Over time, the show shifted away from traditional news delivery toward analysis, commentary, and opinion, particularly during the Trump era. Lemon emerged as a vocal critic of Republican leaders, conservative media, and Donald Trump, positioning himself as an explicitly values-driven journalist rather than a neutral anchor. This shift earned him a loyal audience while also drawing sustained criticism from those who argued he blurred the line between reporting and activism.

Lemon's tenure at CNN was marked by repeated controversies, including on-air remarks that sparked backlash and internal scrutiny. Despite this, he remained one of the network's most prominent personalities for years and played a central role in CNN's primetime strategy during a period of intense political polarization.

On April 24, 2023, Lemon was fired from CNN after 17 years with the network. In February 2024, CNN reportedly paid Don a $24.5 million settlement, which represented the total amount he was set to receive under his remaining contract before he was fired. His exit marked the end of an era both for his career and for CNN's approach to personality-driven commentary. Beyond television, Lemon has remained active through writing, public speaking, and digital media projects.

CNN Salary & Settlement

At the peak of his time working at CNN, Don Lemon earned a salary of $7 million per year. This salary was confirmed in February 2024 when CNN reportedly agreed to pay Don a $24.5 million settlement. That settlement apparently represented the full amount he would have earned under the 3.5 years he had left under his contract at the time of his firing. $24.5 million/3.5 years = $7 million per year.

Twitter Deal & Lawsuit

After being fired from CNN, Don struck a deal with Elon Musk's Twitter that would pay him a base salary of $1.5 million per year plus a cut of ad revenue. The contract was canceled almost as soon as it was signed after Don conducted an interview with Musk, which Elon did not enjoy. In the interview, Don asked Elon about his alleged drug use and his plans to address content moderation on the platform. A day after the interview, Elon texted Don's agent saying "contract is canceled." In August 2024, Don filed a breach of contract lawsuit against both Elon and Twitter.

Early Life

Donald Carlton Lemon was born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raised in a Creole household, Lemon was voted class president during his senior year of high school. In 2010, Lemon admitted in an on-air interview that he had been sexually molested at the age of five by a teenage boy, and he didn't tell anyone about the incident until he was 30.

After graduating, Don attended Louisiana State University before transferring to Brooklyn College in New York. During his time at Brooklyn College, Don majored in journalism. As a college student, he also gained experience by working as a news assistant at a Fox News affiliate station in New York.

Early Television Career

Before graduating from college, Don Lemon began building his résumé at several Fox News affiliate stations, gaining early experience in field reporting and newsroom operations. After college, he joined NBC as a correspondent, working in Philadelphia and Chicago while also reporting for local affiliate stations in Alabama and Pennsylvania. During this period, Lemon steadily advanced from general assignment reporter to weekend news anchor, establishing himself as a reliable on-air presence.

In addition to anchoring duties, Lemon worked as an investigative reporter for an NBC affiliate in St. Louis. These early years were defined by traditional local journalism, with a focus on crime, politics, and community-focused reporting that helped shape his on-camera style and newsroom credibility.

NBC News and National Exposure

Lemon eventually moved to NBC News' New York operations, marking his transition to national television. He appeared regularly on "Today" and "NBC Nightly News" and also served as an anchor for "Weekend Today" on MSNBC. His reporting during this period included coverage of major national events, most notably the Washington, D.C. sniper case and Hurricane Katrina.

In 2002, Lemon received the Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on the sniper attacks, with additional recognition tied to his coverage of Hurricane Katrina. These honors solidified his reputation as a serious journalist capable of handling high-pressure, high-impact stories.

Chicago and Emmy Recognition

In 2003, Lemon relocated to Chicago to work at NBC-owned station WMAQ-TV. His work there generated significant attention, and he earned three Emmy Awards during his tenure as a reporter and local news co-anchor. Among the projects cited for recognition were a business feature titled "Life on Craigslist" and an in-depth report examining the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

This period marked the peak of Lemon's career as a traditional local and national news reporter, combining investigative work with anchoring responsibilities.

CNN and the Shift to Opinion Television

Lemon joined CNN in 2006, initially working as a correspondent and anchor focused on breaking news and major national events. As CNN's programming strategy evolved, his role shifted toward personality-driven prime-time television, particularly after he became host of "CNN Tonight." Alongside fellow high-profile anchors like Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo, Lemon became part of a trio that defined CNN's evening lineup during a highly polarized political era.

While Cooper generally maintained a more traditional anchor posture and Cuomo leaned into confrontational debate formats, Lemon increasingly embraced overt commentary and personal perspective. His show blended news analysis with opinion, positioning him as a vocal critic of conservative politics, Republican leaders, and Donald Trump. The approach resonated with a segment of CNN's audience and elevated Lemon into one of the network's most recognizable personalities.

At the same time, the shift made Lemon a frequent lightning rod for controversy. He faced repeated criticism for on-air remarks and perceived gaffes that drew backlash from viewers, political figures, and media critics. Lemon also stated that his visibility and outspoken views led to numerous death threats during his tenure. The combination of high profile, opinionated commentary, and internal scrutiny came to define his later years at CNN.

Departure From CNN

Following ongoing controversies and declining ratings, Lemon was dismissed from CNN on April 24, 2023. His exit marked the end of a nearly 17-year tenure at the network and reflected broader changes in cable news programming and audience expectations.

Criticisms of Donald Trump

After the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, Don Lemon started to become even more direct with his personal opinions during CNN's programming. He has accused Trump of being racist and of supporting white supremacy. After the 2020 elections, Lemon continued to mock not only Trump but also his supporters.

During one particularly divisive segment, Don and two guests mocked Trump supporters with fake Southern accents, seemingly insulting their intelligence. Lemon's subsequent "laughing fit" was seen as unprofessional by some observers. After Don "laughed so hard he cried," Ivanka Trump tweeted, "You consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided."

Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Relationships

In 2011, Lemon publicly announced that he was gay. He stated that he had known that he was gay from an extremely young age in his 2011 memoir "Transparent," and he again referred to the sexual abuse that he had suffered as a child. Don also reminded the public that although this revelation may have come as a shock for many people, he had been open about his sexuality with friends, family, and close colleagues for many years. Nonetheless, this public announcement made him one of the few homosexual African Americans in the broadcasting industry. In 2017, Don Lemon started dating Tim Malone, a real estate agent. The couple announced in 2019 that they had become engaged.

Legal Issues

In 2019, a bartender working at a bar in New York accused Lemon of assaulting him. The incident took place in 2018, and Lemon allegedly "rubbed his own genitals" before shoving his fingers in the face of the plaintiff. The bartender's name is Dustin Hice, and he claims that Lemon has made numerous offers to settle out of court for six-figure sums. Publicly, Don has denied all of Hice's claims.

Real Estate

In 2020, it was reported that Don was selling his home in Harlem for $1.75 million. The chic condo features 1,400 square feet of living space, two bedrooms, and 2.5 bathrooms. Lemon originally acquired the condo seven years prior for $1.5 million, which would suggest that he's comfortable with a relatively small profit margin on this sale. In fact, he's probably simply aiming to break even.

Additional features include a large balcony with panoramic views of Harlem and floor-to-ceiling windows. Lemon had previously owned another unit in the same building, which he sold for $970,000 in 2016. He also owns a home in the Hamptons neighborhood of Sag Harbor that he purchased in 2016 for $3 million. Today the home is worth an estimated $4.5 million.

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