With her decision to leave CNN, a well-known personality at the network since 2008, Poppy Harlow marks the end of an era for both herself and CNN. In a sincere message to her coworkers, Harlow announced this choice, thanking them and reflecting on her development both personally and professionally throughout her time.
After its November 2022 relaunch, CNN decided to cancel “CNN This Morning,” the morning Show Harlow co-hosted with Don Lemon and Kaitlan Collins. In April of the next year, Lemon was fired from the show, and Collins moved to a primetime position in June. Phil Mattingly joined Harlow on the morning show, however, it was finally canceled earlier this year in the middle of a larger restructuring of the network’s morning schedule. “CNN This Morning” is still on, but it now starts at 5 a.m. and is hosted by Kasie Hunt.
On X/Twitter, Harlow said, “Loved every moment,” of her tenure at CNN. She wrote in her memo, “You are (and will always be) close friends, and I have been inspired by you and learned so much from you. Both personally and professionally, I grew up here. I was permitted to stumble and fall and then, with the help and concern of this CNN family, to try again. I have learned resilience, leadership skills, the need for perspective, and how to make difficult decisions thanks to this location.
Vanity Fair was the first to report Harlow’s departure. She hasn’t said what comes next, but her influence on journalism and her legacy at CNN are unquestionably going to continue.
Before joining CNN, Harlow held positions as an anchor and reporter for Forbes Video Network and NY1. She covered big events like the Boston Marathon bombing and followed up on the recovery of multiple people hurt in the incident throughout her tenure at CNN, where she also anchored the CNN Newsroom.