Jeffrey Toobin, a veteran legal analyst and writer who has opined on cases and the courts for CNN since 2002, appears to have given his final testimony at the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news organisation.
Toobin revealed in a letter to colleagues on Friday that he is leaving CNN, which has supported him in good and bad times. Toobin was fired by CNN in the fall of 2020 after admitting to exposing himself during a video call with staffers from The New Yorker, where he had worked since 1993. Toobin and Conde Nast parted ways, but CNN reinstated its contributor in June 2021 after a months-long absence. When he returned, he told CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, “I hope to be a better person off and on camera.”
Toobin, an attorney, has become a well-known author over the years, and one of his books inspired a popular FX series based on the trial of disgraced football great O.J. Simpson.
“I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to leave CNN after twenty years after my vacation.” It was wonderful to spend my final day on air, like so many others before it, with my friends at Sit Room, AC360, and Don Lemon Tonight. It’s been a pleasure (and a lot of fun) to work with you,” Toobin wrote. “CNN’s work is enormously important, and I know you’ll continue to do it with the same passion and intelligence that you always have.”
He also mentioned that he was working on a book about the Oklahoma City bombing that would be released next year.
It’s unclear whether Toobin’s contract with CNN had expired, but his departure appears to be the result of a mutual agreement.
CNN said in a statement, “We are grateful for Jeffrey’s contributions to the network over the years and wish him the best in his future endeavours.”