CNN says management offered to meet with Don Lemon, contradicting ousted host

CNN on Monday disputed the account of former personality Don Lemon, saying that the network had offered Lemon a meeting with management prior to his termination, but that he instead opted to tweet about the matter.

"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," the network stated.

Lemon had indicated that no one at the network had told him of his termination directly.

"After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. 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. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play," he tweeted.

The network's original statement thanked Lemon for his 17 years of contributing to CNN.

"CNN and Don have parted ways. Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years," they tweeted. "We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors."

Lemon previously hosted a primetime show on the network, but subsequently became part of a morning show alongside Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. The cable host was the subject of numerous reports during his time at the network and recently provoked backlash over comments he made suggesting that GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley was "not in her prime."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.