Following the firing of Don Lemon from CNN on Monday, rapper Rick Ross has extended a job offer to the former news anchor.
In an Instagram Story on Tuesday, Ross invited Lemon to work at one of his 30 Wingstop restaurants, even suggesting that he could be in charge of the grill.
The 57-year-old news veteran, who had been with CNN for 17 years, was let go in a move that he described as “stunning.”
Ross expressed his support for Lemon in his Instagram Story, stating, “Just found out Don Lemon was terminated from CNN. Damn, dawg. But guess what? The brother’s got your back.”
Ross continued, “We’re hiring at Wingstop, and for some reason, I believe you know what you’re doing with the lemon-pepper wings, so man, just send over your résumé. I’mma make sure I get you in front of the right grill, brother. Stay solid, brother.”
In another video, Ross proposed that Lemon lend his name to one of Ross’s signature energy drinks. He said, “Just came up with a wonderful idea — well, really, Don, you helped me come up with this. I need to hit the team over at Rap Star Energy Drink and let ’em know we should introduce the Don Lemon flavor. What y’all think? Aye, Don, we got you brother!”
Lemon’s departure from CNN followed a series of controversies, including comments he made in February suggesting that Nikki Haley, the 51-year-old former governor of South Carolina and potential 2024 presidential candidate, was no longer “in her prime.”
Additionally, Lemon allegedly clashed with his “CNN This Morning” co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins and was the subject of a recent Variety magazine report accusing him of a history of sexist and “diva-like” behavior.
Lemon denied the allegations in the Variety article, calling the story “riddled with patently false anecdotes and no concrete evidence,” among other things.
CNN has not provided an official reason for Lemon’s termination, but it did dispute his claim that he learned of his firing through his agent.
CNN stated on Twitter, “Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
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