New York, NY — Two former CNN anchors have expressed their disappointment with the network’s current leadership, suggesting it has failed to safeguard journalistic integrity amid political pressures. Don Lemon and Jim Acosta, both of whom previously held prominent roles at CNN, addressed the situation during a recent episode of “The Don Lemon Show,” asserting that the network’s current turmoil stems from decisions made in the past.
During the Sept. 21, 2026, broadcast, Lemon remarked that CNN had effectively invited its recent troubles, including a White House ban imposed by Donald Trump. He criticized the network for its handling of controversial figures and events during Trump’s presidency, claiming it did not adequately prioritize journalistic standards. “I want to feel bad for them, but it’s kind of their own making,” Lemon said, echoing sentiments that resonated with Acosta, who agreed and added, “We told them, and now they’re finding out.”
The Trump administration barred CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, from accessing the White House on Sept. 18, 2026. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled these organizations as “Fake News” and announced the ban without providing specific grievances. Subsequent reports indicated that reporters from these outlets were denied access to White House events, prompting them to file a lawsuit on Sept. 21, contending the ban violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.
A U.S. District Court judge temporarily restored their press credentials on Sept. 24, a ruling that recalled a similar situation from 2018 involving Acosta himself. The judge, Timothy Kelly, highlighted the issue as “unlawful viewpoint discrimination.” However, the ban persisted in certain scenarios, including exclusion from Air Force One on a trip to Tennessee, pushing CNN and its allies back to the courtroom.
Lemon and Acosta critiqued the network’s strategic choices, particularly the increased focus on right-leaning figures in an effort to attract conservative audiences. Lemon criticized CNN management’s shift, stating, “What is our election denier policy? What is our insurrection denier policy?” He has openly expressed concerns regarding coverage of politicians like Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, urging that leniency toward such figures could have adverse effects on the network’s integrity.
Acosta echoed these thoughts, particularly regarding CNN’s hiring of commentators perceived as supportive of Trump, which he described as “basically a paid Trump spokesman.” He insisted, “Appeasement does not work,” and argued that the network’s attempts to cater to a specific political audience have not yielded the desired results.
Both Lemon and Acosta acknowledged the potential backlash from their critiques, with Lemon reflecting on his own tumultuous departure from CNN in April 2023. After a 17-year tenure, he was unceremoniously informed of his dismissal through an agent. His exit followed significant controversies, including backlash against comments he made about Republican candidate Nikki Haley and workplace misconduct allegations, which he vehemently denied.
In the same media landscape shakeup, Fox News announced the departure of Tucker Carlson on the same day as Lemon’s dismissal, creating a wave of changes in high-profile television news personalities. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow dedicated airtime to reflect on the broader implications of shifting audiences and the evolution of influential media figures.
As CNN navigates its new ownership under Skydance, Lemon now has his own show and faces federal charges related to a protest incident, while Acosta’s sharp exchanges with Trump have become part of his legacy at the network. The former anchors’ shared perspectives reveal an ongoing discourse about media responsibility and the challenges of maintaining journalistic independence in an increasingly polarized era.