CNN CEO Chris Licht has issued a warning after host Don Lemon caused outrage with more disrespectful comments about women on his doomed morning show.
Lemon’s co-host Poppy Harlow reportedly stormed off the set Thursday after his latest sexist remarks about women being “in their prime.”
Following a backlash, Lemon issued a weak apology for the remarks.
During a meeting today with Licht, CNN’s new CEO was asked about Lemon’s on-air comments.
“People say stupid things and that if it’s a trend then there’s recourse,” Licht reportedly said.
According to The New York Post: “Poppy Harlow walked off the ‘CNN This Morning’ set Thursday following a tense exchange with Lemon after he said GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley was “not in her prime,” The Post has learned.
“According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Harlow took a ‘well-timed’ bathroom break and was followed into the restroom by co-host Kaitlan Collins — who recently had her own run-in with Lemon.
“The tense relationship between Lemon, Collins and Harlow has ‘been smoldering for months,’ the source said.
“However, CNN boss Chris Licht seems content to keep rolling out the troubled trio.”
Lemon issued a weak apology after massive backlash.
“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,” he tweeted.
“A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally.
“I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
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
During a conversation about the 2024 election, Lemon made disrespectful comments about presidential candidate Nikky Haley and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Lemon, one of the three anchors of “CNN This Morning,” made remarks about women being “in their prime” during a segment about Haley when he commented on the age of some of her political rivals.
“She says people, you know, politicians or something are not in their prime,” Lemon said on the program.
“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry.
“A woman is considered to be in their prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
The comment spurred co-anchor Poppy Harlow to try to get Lemon to modify his stance.
“What are you talking about, wait — prime for what?” she asked.
The move resulted in Lemon digging himself into an even deeper hole.
“If you Google ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say; 20s, 30s, and 40s,” he replied.
Haley is 51 while Biden is 80, Kamala Harris is 58, and Hillary Clinton is in her later 70s.
WATCH:
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
READ MORE: Don Lemon Under Fire for New ‘Sexist’ Comment on CNN
