Last week, βCNN This Morningβ host Don Lemon received tons of backlash after making comments that were considered misogynistic about South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. He has not been seen on the show since Thursday and is now scheduled to return on Wednesday.
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When discussing Haleyβs presidential campaign announcement on Thursday, Lemon addressed her assertion that βmandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years oldβ should be implemented. Alongside co-hosts Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow, he remarked that Haley harping about age was the βwrong roadβ to go down since she herself βis not in her prime.β
His exact words were: βShe says people, politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s.β He continued:
βIf you Google, βwhen is a woman in her prime,β itβll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. ... Iβm not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that (politicians arenβt in their prime).β
Needless to say, the outrage he received was swift. Lemon issued an apology:
βThe reference I made to a womanβs βprimeβ this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A womanβs age doesnβt define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.β
TMZ reported that Lemon was supposed to moderate a Black History Month panel in NYC Tuesday but dropped out to keep a low profile. In an email obtained by CNN Business, CEO Chris Licht explained in an email to employees Monday night that Lemon will return Wednesday after receiving formal training.
βI sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation. He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously,β Licht wrote. Even though Lemon apologized, he was still chastised by Licht shortly after.
The New York Times claimed that during an editorial call Friday, Licht said that Lemonβs comments were βupsetting, unacceptable and unfairβ as well as a βhuge distraction.β
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