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A pair of CNN hosts announced their departures from the struggling “CNN This Morning” show after another host quit the network.
On Friday, Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly announced that the broadcast would be their last and thanked everyone involved in making the show.
Harlow and Mattingly will be given new roles at the network and Kasie Hunt will be taking over a shortened version of the show.
“And before we go, a quick point of personal privilege, as the folks we cover on Capitol Hill might say. And the word ‘privilege’ here, I think, is particularly apt, because that’s what it has been every day and night and very early morning to work with our extraordinary team here. To our directors, our producers, bookers, writers, editors, APs, PAs, you are the heart and soul of something for which we’re both incredibly proud,” Mattingly said.
“Your immeasurable talents have infused every show. Your good humor, your smiles have filled every morning, and the fact that you were willing to share that with both of us while working, let’s charitably call them less-than-ideal hours. That’s a testament to your character and explains our shared and unyielding belief in your limitless futures,” he said.
“Somehow, in some remarkable way… I’m the problem here,” Harlow said.
“You guys have seemed to manage to keep me, mainly me, on time, in the right place at the right time. No surprise, Phil is early all the time and I’m running in at the last minute. But seriously, guys, we’d literally be nowhere without you. All while managing to crack the best jokes at the perfect time in every commercial break. As a viewer, you don’t get to see these folks. They are the real deal. They make it happen. You’ve seen their work every single morning. You and we are better for it. You are the best partner in the world, Phil Mattingly. We will see you all soon. That is it for us. Have a great weekend,” she said.
It comes after another CNN host abruptly quit the network this month.
Former CNN Anchor John Avlon, who routinely used his “Reality Check” segment on the network to “fact check” former President Donald Trump, has announced that he will be campaigning in New York’s 1st Congressional District as a Democrat.
He will be one of several Democrats looking to defeat Republican Rep. Rep. Nick LaLota who took over for Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin.
“I believe the United States is the greatest democracy the world has ever known. But right now, our democracy is in danger,” he said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter. “This election is not a drill. It’s up to all of us to step up and get off the sidelines. And that’s why I’m running for Congress, in New York’s 1st District. There’s just too much at stake for the country and the community that I love.”
“We need to build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Donald Trump, defend our democracy and win back the House from his MAGA minions who don’t even seem interested in solving problems anymore,” he said.
“Together, we can flip the seat, together, we can rebuild the middle class, invest in infrastructure, protect women’s reproductive freedoms and combat climate change. Democrats can’t afford to lose this fight,” he said.
The announcement came a mere two weeks after he departed CNN.
“I have to say something, John. I don’t know if this is the last time we’re together in this capacity, certainly not us, but, you know, there’s a big thing, you’re moving on to new adventures. I just want to say the very beginning of the show we were together on day one. That was almost 13 years in this case, becoming personal friends and professional — such admiration for you. Every step of the way, no matter what story happens. Something happening, you go, John! And there he was. In the meantime he’s written book after book after book, and we look better than ever. Anyway, I just want to say, I wish you the best. I know you just want to grow and fly,” CNN anchor Erin Burnett said during his last appearance on the network.
“Thank you. I love the whole team. Greatest respect and appreciation for CNN. Got to keep growing, and some great adventures ahead,” he said.
