Lemon said new network President Chris Licht presented him with an opportunity he “can’t pass up,” adding that the vision for the new program is one that would “start the network’s editorial board every day.” “And for all those out there who are like, ‘Oh, you moved me without…’ — he asked me and I said yes,” Lemon said. “I could have said no. … I was not relegated. None of these. This is an opportunity for me to create something around me and work with two great ladies, you know.” Licht on Thursday morning announced that CNN is renewing its flagship morning show “New Day” and will use Lemon, daytime anchor Poppy Harlow and reporter Kaitlin Collins as new hosts. The move comes as Licht and CNN try to realign the editorial direction of its reporting amid declining ratings after former President Trump’s departure and criticism from some on the right that voices at the network had become too partisan under former President Jeff Zucker. The Hill’s 12:30 Report — DeSantis sparks controversy by sending immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Florida, teen shoots woman’s car 7 times in road rage, deputies say Lemon said, “He’s not someone who says, ‘You’ve got to move to the right, Don Lemon, you shouldn’t be like that—give so much perspective from your perspective.’ Licht, a morning TV veteran who rose through the news ranks as the founding producer of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and later “CBS This Morning,” has made several personnel and programming decisions since taking over at CNN in May. that have been audited on and off the network. Moving Lemon to his new morning show will also create another hole in CNN’s prime-time lineup. The network has yet to find a full-time replacement for former anchor Chris Cuomo, who was fired by Zucker last year following a personal and professional conduct scandal.
