Share and Follow
Rumors have circulated that Don Lemon and Kaitlan Collins didn’t always have the best rapport. Prior to Lemon’s departure from CNN in 2023, the two co-hosted “CNN This Morning” along with Poppy Harlow. Although the show launched with promise, tensions simmered beneath the surface, reportedly straining their professional relationship.
Shedrick Pelt/Getty Images
Known for his occasionally contentious on-air demeanor, Lemon allegedly lashed out at Collins after feeling she interrupted him during a broadcast in December 2022. “Don yelled at Kaitlan, causing her to become visibly upset and leave the studio,” a source revealed to The New York Post. The altercation was reportedly so intense that the team decided against attending a scheduled White House Christmas party the next day. Following this incident, Collins seemingly preferred to minimize her interactions with Lemon. “Kaitlan aims to spend as little time on set with Don as she can,” an insider disclosed. “It’s quite a complicated situation.”
Despite the widespread attention, none of the individuals involved publicly addressed the incident. However, following Lemon’s abrupt exit from CNN a few months later, Collins offered a neutral remark. “Don was integral to the show over the past six months,” she stated on “CNN This Morning” (via ABC). “He was among the first anchors at CNN to feature me on his program, something I’ll always remember.”
Kaitlan Collins has faced her share of adversaries, with former President Donald Trump among the most vocal, often reacting strongly when she fact-checks or disputes his claims. Though placing Don Lemon in the same league as Trump might be an exaggeration, it is evident that the former colleagues did not part on amicable terms.
Collins was reportedly among those disapproving of Lemon’s controversial remarks about women. After Lemon critiqued Nikki Haley by suggesting she was past her prime for advocating mental competency tests for older politicians, Collins and Harlow allegedly left the set for a break. What they discussed during this interlude remains undisclosed.
Don Lemon reportedly offended Kaitlan Collins with ‘prime’ comment
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kaitlan Collins has a growing list of enemies, and none have been louder than Donald Trump, who fumes whenever she fact-checks or challenges his controversial takes. While it may be overshooting to put Don Lemon in the same category as the president where Collins is concerned, it’s still clear there’s no love lost between the former colleagues.Â
Collins was supposedly one of many people who didn’t appreciate Lemon’s infamous comment about women. After Lemon criticized Nikki Haley’s stance about the need for older politicians to be screened for their mental competency, claiming that she was past her prime, Collins and Poppy Harlow reportedly retreated from the set of their show to enjoy a bathroom break and process things. It’s unknown what they discussed.
Additionally, Collins was not one of the people who attended Lemon’s lavish April 2026 wedding to Tim Malone. What’s extra interesting, however, is that Collins attended a different wedding which took place at the same time. The CNN anchor made no mention of Lemon’s big day online, and instead used her social media time to celebrate the nuptials that she actually attended. Given the rumors surrounding their working relationship, this is probably the least surprising turn of events that could have followed their feud.