Don Lemon is not leaving CNN: ‘Didn’t mean to set the internet on fire’

Longtime CNN anchor Don Lemon has big news to share — but don’t worry: It’s not what you think.

Lemon took to social media Saturday morning to set the record straight after delivering what many believed to be a farewell message to CNN during Friday’s installment of “CNN Tonight.” It turns out that interpretation was a false alarm, according to Lemon, who clarified that he is not leaving the network and will instead continue hosting his show under a new name.

“So, earlier, I told you I had an announcement, and I do,” Lemon said at the conclusion of Friday’s broadcast.

“It’s been really, really great. This is the last night that we’ll be ‘CNN Tonight With Don Lemon.’ So, I appreciate all the years of ‘CNN Tonight With Don Lemon,’ but changes are coming. And I will fill you in.”

After the show, viewers instantly assumed that Lemon was exiting the broadcaster, causing widespread panic on Twitter.

Within hours, Lemon hopped online to reassure his followers that he wasn’t going anywhere and “Didn’t mean to set the internet on fire.” The real announcement, he revealed, is that “CNN Tonight With Don Lemon” will henceforth be called “Don Lemon Tonight.”

“I didn’t say I was leaving CNN. I just said it was the end of an era for ‘CNN Tonight With Don Lemon.’ I’m not leaving CNN, so you will have to tune in Monday … to see. That’s it. So, relax. I’m not leaving.”

The newly rebranded “Don Lemon Tonight” will debut Monday at 8 p.m. Pacific on CNN.

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