The comings and goings of CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin garnered fresh attention after announcing his resignation after 20 years.
CNN placed Toobin on leave in 2020 after he admitted exposing himself during a video call with The New Yorker staff members. He had been working with the magazine since 1993. After that salacious incident, The New Yorker let Toobin go, but after a month-long leave CNN put him back on the air in June 2021.
Upon his return to air, Toobin told CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, “I hope to be a better person off camera as well as on camera.”
The veteran network analyst informed colleagues of his decisions in a Friday letter, according to a Daily Wire report. Later Friday, he made a public announcement in a post to his verified Twitter account.
“Friends, I’ve decided that, after 20 years, I’m leaving @cnn after my vacation,” Toobin declared. “Was great to spend my last day on air with pals Wolf, Anderson and Don. Love all my former colleagues.”
“Watch for my next book, about the Oklahoma City bombing, coming in 2023 from @simonandschuster.”
It is unclear whether Toobin’s contract with CNN was not renewed or he retired, but the parting of ways appears amicable, according to a Variety report.
“We are grateful for Jeffrey’s contributions to the network over the years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” CNN said of his departure in a statement.
In addition to legal analysis the lawyer supplied to CNN since 2002, he is also a published author. His departure announcement said he will spend more time on an upcoming book about Timothy McVeigh. Toobin optioned one of his books to the FX Networks for the popular series they produced about the trial of NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson.
“He’s quitting to spend more time with himself,” podcaster Noam Blum remarked.
“Apparently, among the other things that he has his hands on,” quipped conservative activist Ned Ryun, “he’ll have his hands on plenty of time.”
“Jeffrey Toobin is leaving CNN to spend some more time with himself,” journalist Stephen L. Miller commented.
“You’re more of a solo act anyway,” offered journalist Ryan Girdusky.
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