‘Inaccurate’: CNN disputes Don Lemon’s account of his firing

CNN called Don Lemon’s account of their parting fake news.

The network accused its co-host of lying in a social media spat over Mr. Lemon’s sudden exit.

The past prime-time anchorman had said he only learned of his dismissal Monday from his agent and without notice.

“After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly,” Mr. Lemon said on Twitter.

“At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network,” he added. “It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”

Not so, the network said.

“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,” CNN said on its public-relations account.

CNN did not further elaborate on an apparently escalating feud — its initial statement had been far kinder, saying merely that the two had “parted ways.”

“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years. We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors,” CNN had said earlier Monday, before Mr. Lemon’s statement.