Rahel Solomon is set to leave CNN, as she announced her departure live during the Monday 5 a.m. broadcast. Viewers were surprised to hear that her last week would conclude on Friday.
During her sign-off, Solomon expressed enthusiasm about upcoming opportunities, stating, “I have decided that this will be my last week at CNN. More to come on what’s next for me, but I’m really excited about this next chapter.” Immediately after, her farewell clip was shared by the show’s official X account.
She expressed gratitude to her team, saying, “Thank you to the team at Early Start. To the larger team here at CNN – I’m going to be cheering you on. I look forward to watching.” The exact nature of her future plans remains unclear.
Solomon, 37, made her return from maternity leave just last December. Having taken over the ‘Early Start’ program in March after joining CNN from CNBC, she has a diverse background that includes stints at CBS affiliates in Pennsylvania.
Married to attorney Marcel S. Pratt since July 2024, the couple welcomed a daughter in 2025. Solomon briefly left her role in June before her return late last year.
Reports indicate her colleagues support her decision to move on, although the timing comes as CNN faces significant internal challenges. The network’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is undergoing a major sale valued at over $100 billion to Paramount, raising concerns among staff.
Amid all the changes, Paramount CEO David Ellison has reassured employees that CNN’s editorial independence will remain intact if the deal receives federal approval.
