Poppy Harlow is not leaving CNN due to being fired, instead, she has chosen to leave the network after 16 years. This decision comes in the wake of CNN’s cancellation of “CNN This Morning,” a show she co-hosted, which was part of a broader shakeup under the network’s new management led by Mark Thompson.
Harlow’s departure was announced during a CNN editorial call and later confirmed by Harlow herself in an email to her colleagues. In her farewell message, she reflects on her growth and experiences at CNN, expressing gratitude towards the network’s leadership for allowing her the space to make this decision.
Her decision to leave follows a tumultuous period for “CNN This Morning,” marked by internal conflicts and declining ratings. Co-host Don Lemon was previously ousted due to professional missteps, and while other co-hosts were reassigned, Harlow was initially left without a clear role. Although offered a new position at the same time as her colleague Phil Mattingly, she chose not to accept it.
Harlow’s career at CNN has been distinguished by her extensive reporting from the field and her in-depth interviews with global business leaders, making her a respected figure in journalism. Both CNN’s executive vice president for talent, Amy Entelis, and Mark Thompson have publicly acknowledged Harlow’s significant contributions to the network and expressed their best wishes for her future endeavors.
