Chris Cuomo Reveals Tensions with Don Lemon Amid CNN Fallout

Chris Cuomo has recently revealed that his much-publicized friendship with former CNN co-anchor Don Lemon was largely staged for the cameras at the direction of ex-CNN president Jeff Zucker, who encouraged their on-air banter to boost ratings and keep Lemon on-script. Cuomo claims the relationship soured after his 2021 CNN firing, alleging that Lemon failed to support him or reach out, which Cuomo views as a betrayal of loyalty. He also suggested that Lemon’s career benefited from personal connections with Zucker and his agent. In response, sources close to CNN have dismissed Cuomo’s claims as attention-seeking and denied his assertions about behind-the-scenes manipulation. Both Cuomo and Lemon have since left CNN—Cuomo is now at NewsNation and pursuing a major lawsuit against CNN, while Lemon hosts a YouTube show. The fallout from these events continues to fuel tensions and lingering resentment among former colleagues at the network.