Don Lemon is opening up about his husband Tim Malone’s support during his time as a CNN news anchor.
“His support means everything,” Lemon, 59, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, June 20, while attending the 2025 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. “It’s my backbone. It’s the person I see every single day. And when I can’t stand, he helps me stand.”
Lemon continued, “And so, you know, just like any other relationship — straight, gay or whatever — that’s my right hand. To have him there and have him in my corner — that’s my ride or die.”
Lemon, who was awarded the Social Impact Award during the 5th 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 before parting ways with the organization in April 2023.
“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” CNN CEO Chris Licht said in a memo to staff at the time. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
In his own statement, Lemon claimed CNN had fired the former anchor.
“I am stunned,” Lemon said at the time, claiming that management did not have “the decency” to inform him of his termination directly. “At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network.”
Don Lemon speaks onstage during the 5th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards on June 20, 2025/ Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
CNN refuted Lemon’s claims, labeling them “inaccurate” in a statement and claiming Lemon “was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
In March, Lemon claimed he was sexually harassed during his time at CNN by both men and women.
“I have been harassed by women and men in the [workplace]. It’s ridiculous,” Lemon told Bill Maher while appearing on the “Club Random With Bill Maher” podcast. “There are some things that are really egregious, but not everything is Harvey Weinstein level. I remember when I was in Atlanta and I was in the cafeteria [at CNN]. … This young lady tweaked my nipples and said, ‘Oh, it’s cold in here.’ I said, ‘OK, you realize that if I did that they’d be walking me out the door right now?’”
When the news anchor becomes the news. From drunken antics on New Year’s Eve to backlash for sexist remarks, Don Lemon made waves during his time at CNN. After making a name for himself through his reporting at several Fox and NBC affiliates through the years, Lemon joined CNN in 2006 and became a prominent […]
Lemon said he never reported any of the instances to upper management. Us reached out to CNN at the time for comment.
Lemon has since forged his own path via social media — though he told Us it hasn’t always been easy.
“It’s tough for me to set boundaries,” Lemon told Us of his social media presence as a public figure. “I have learned now to say ‘no,’ and they’ll ask me why and I’ll just say ‘no’ just because I don’t — I’m not interested. I need to take care of myself, so my boundaries now is learning the word ‘no’ and making sure ‘no’ means what it means. ‘No’ means no.”
In addition to Lemon, the 5th 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 Community Award and Warren G with the Culture Award. Comedian Tiffany Haddish hosted Friday’s ceremony.
With reporting by Matt Minton
