Don Lemon Takes Time Off After Controversial Comments on Nikki Haley
CNN anchor Don Lemon is taking a breather from his hosting duties after saying former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley isn’t “in her prime.” Lemon did not appear on “CNN This Morning” on Friday, as it was a previously planned “day off,” and will also be absent from Monday’s show. His remarks sparked intense discussion on social media, so let’s take a closer look at the controversy.
What did Don Lemon say?
Haley’s speech Wednesday called for “mental competency tests” for politicians over 75 years old, a reference to President Joe Biden, who is 80, and former President Donald Trump, who is 76. Lemon responded on the show Thursday, saying “She 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.”
Where is Don Lemon?
Lemon will be absent from Monday’s episode of “This Morning” for another day off. Sara Sidner, a senior national correspondent on CNN, will fill in for Lemon, though details about when the anchor is set to return to the talk show were not shared.
Did Don Lemon apologize?
Lemon apologized for his on-air comments Thursday afternoon. “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 wrote. “A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
How did Nikki Haley respond?
Haley shared the clip from CNN and tweeted: “Liberals can’t stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job. BTW it’s always the liberals who are the most sexist.” She also responded to Lemon’s apology, saying “To be clear, I am NOT calling for competency tests for Sexist middle-aged CNN anchors; only for people who make our laws and are 75+.”
Conclusion
Don Lemon’s comments sparked a heated discussion on social media and have led to him taking a breather from his hosting duties on CNN. Lemon apologized for his comments, and Nikki Haley responded to his apology. It remains to be seen whether Lemon will make any further comments about the matter, or if he will return to “CNN This Morning” this week.
