Don Lemon will now not show up on Monday’s CNN This Morning amid ongoing backlash to remarks he made related to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
After a scheduled absence on Friday, Lemon is now set to pass over Monday’s exhibit after remarks concerning Haley no longer being in her “prime” final week drew heavy backlash, in accordance to more than one reports.
Lemon stirred controversy on Thursday when discussing Haley’s lately introduced presidential candidacy and remarks she made calling for intellectual competency checks for presidential candidates over 75.
Lemon addressed the remarks to his co-anchors — Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins — and quipped that Haley, 51, “isn’t in her prime” herself. When pressed on the remark through his fellow anchors, Lemon doubled down, arguing, “If you Google ‘when is a female in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s and 40s.”
On Friday, Lemon used to be given the probability to tackle CNN staffers and apologized for his comments.
“I’m sorry that I stated it. And I surely see why humans located it definitely misguided,” Lemon said, CNN reports. “When I make a mistake, I personal it. And I personal this one as well.”
Lemon careworn “I agree with that female of any age… can do some thing they set their minds to.” adding, “The humans I am closest to in this business enterprise are women… The human beings I are searching for assistance from most in this enterprise are women.”
Lemon additionally apologized publicly on Twitter, writing, “The reference I made to a woman’s ‘prime’ this morning used to be inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and cherished ones have pointed out, and I be apologetic about it. A woman’s age does not outline her both individually or professionally. I have endless girls in my existence who show that each day.”
The reference I made to a woman’s “prime” this morning used to be inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and cherished ones have pointed out, and I feel sorry about it. A woman’s age does not outline her both for my part or professionally. I have limitless girls in my existence who show that each and every day.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 16, 2023
Monday’s CNN This Morning will be hosted by way of Harlow, as properly as Sara Sidner, who will be sitting in for Lemon, Variety reports. Collins will be reporting from undertaking in Poland.
It’s uncertain whether or not Lemon will return to the exhibit on Tuesday, or what his future with CNN will be in the weeks to come.