OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
“CNN This Morning” co-host Don Lemon wasn’t part of the network’s program on Monday after being taken off-air by upper management following sexist remarks he made during a show late last week, according to a report.
The Daily Beast noted that Lemon was ‘benched’ on Monday over remarks he made about GOP presidential contender Nikki Haley being “past her prime” at 51 years old, suggesting she could not be an effective leader due to her age. Joe Biden, incidentally, is 80 and visibly struggles with speeches at times.
According to a report from Lachlan Cartwright at The Daily Beast, CNN changed its Monday lineup and proceeded without anchor Don Lemon while “conversations about Don’s future” are reportedly ongoing.
Cartwright obtained a copy of the Monday schedule and reported that it had been changed on Sunday afternoon. He also cited “two people familiar with the matter” who claimed that Lemon’s future at CNN is uncertain.
Lemon has been a prominent figure at CNN, having hosted a variety of shows and segments for the network over the years. His most recent gig was a solo prime-time evening show but he was moved to co-host in the mornings late last fall.
However, CNN has denied that Lemon’s absence on Monday has anything to do with his remarks about Haley. “He is taking the holiday. He’s been chased by paparazzi all weekend. He’s been under attack. He’s not ready to go back on air,” a spokesperson said, in reference to President’s Day.
Last week, Lemon appeared to offend co-host Poppy Harlow over his Haley remarks.
“This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think it’s the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians are suddenly not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry, When a woman is in their prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s,” he said before Harlow interrupted.
“What are you talking — Wait…,” she said.
“That’s not according to me,” Lemon responded.
“Prime for what?” Harlow said.
“It depends. It’s just like, prime. If you look it up. If you Google when is a woman in her prime, it’ll say 20s, 30s, 40s,” Lemon retorted.
“Forties! Oh my God, I have another decade,” Harlow said.
“I’m not saying I agree with that. So I think she has to be careful about saying that, you know, politicians are in their prime,” Lemon added, stumbling as he backtracked.
“Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing? Or are you talking about prime for being president?” Harlow pressed.
“Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just saying what the facts are. Google it. Everybody at home, when is a woman in her prime? It says 20s, 30s and 40s. I’m just saying Nikki Haley should careful about saying that politics are not in their prime, and they need to be in their prime when they serve. She would not be in her prime according to Google or whatever it is,” Lemon said.
Don Lemon: "Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, and 30s, and maybe 40s…"
Poppy Harlow: "Are you talking about prime for like child bearing?"
"Don’t shoot the messenger! I’m just saying what the facts are! Google it!" pic.twitter.com/n1HmtkWTpl
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 16, 2023
Following the exchange on-air, the New York Post reported that a “furious” Harlow walked off the set, per the New York Post.
According to a source, Collins, who had previously clashed with Lemon, followed her colleague into the restroom during a “well-timed” bathroom break.
The insider suggested that the tense relationship between Lemon, Collins, and Harlow had been simmering for several months, as have previous sources. Additionally, a CNN insider claimed that the recent high-profile incident may prompt network boss Licht to replace Lemon as the co-host of the morning show.
“Chris isn’t happy and he has spoken to Don a couple times today,” the network source told The Post. “Don knows it can’t happen again.”
Lemon, who also did not do the show on Friday, took to Twitter to offer up a mea culpa of sorts after Thursday’s broadcast.
“The reference I made to a woman’s ‘prime’ this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day,” he noted.
The reference I made to a woman’s “prime” this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A woman’s age doesn't define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 16, 2023
