Don Lemon Breaks Down in Tears While Remembering Late CNN Journalist Drew Griffin

Yesterday (Dec. 19) was an emotional day at CNN as many anchors paid tribute to longtime correspondent Drew Griffin following his death from cancer. CNN This Morning anchor Don Lemon was in tears as he reminisced about his late colleague during an in memoriam segment on the morning show.

Sharing the tragic news with CNN viewers, Lemon said, “So, we have some very sad news to tell you today.”

“Our colleague and friend and longtime distinguished CNN journalist Drew Griffin has passed away. Drew was with the investigative unit of CNN based in Atlanta since 2004,” he continued.

He went on to summarize Griffin’s expertise within the field and his accomplishments throughout his career, saying, “We’re going to honor him a little bit later on…” before he trailed off and broke down in tears, telling viewers, “I’m sorry.”

 

Lemon’s co-host Kaitlan Collins told him, “I know this is tough for you. You said he was one of the first people you met at CNN,” as Lemon continued to apologize and cry, taking off his glasses and grabbing a tissue.

Collins added, “Drew was such a gifted storyteller,” before signaling for a break. “We’ll have more for you next.”

Since joining CNN in 2004, Griffin has done award-winning reporting spanning politics, natural disasters, and fraud. He led investigations into the Ford Motor Company vehicle fires, congressional spending, and Donald Trump’s fraudulent real estate school. Griffin also won a Peabody Award for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina and led a yearlong investigation that exposed medical care faults at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

CNN first reported Griffin’s death on Dec. 19. The outlet stated that he died Saturday (Dec. 17) from cancer at age 60. In a statement to staff, CNN CEO Chris Licht said, “Drew’s death is a devastating loss to CNN and our entire profession. A highly acclaimed investigative journalist, Drew’s work had incredible impact and embodied the mission of this organization in every way.”

Patricia DiCarlo, executive producer of CNN’s investigative unit — in which Griffin was a senior correspondent — said, “You know when a Drew Griffin story starts – it’s going to be great. His way with words set him apart.”

DiCarlo shared that working with him was like “winning the career lottery.”

During the day’s broadcast, anchors Anderson Cooper, Jake Tapper, Laura Coates and more remembered Griffin’s legacy, with Cooper saying in a tribute, “Drew was a gifted storytelling dedicated to seeking the truth and holding the powerful accountable.”

Tapper called his own tribute “a story I never wanted to tell.”