Don Lemon issued apologies both publicly and in an editorial meeting with his CNN colleagues following remarks he made about women and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley earlier this week.
"I'm sorry that I said it," Lemon said at an editorial meeting with his colleagues on Friday, according to CNN. "And I certainly see why people found it completely misguided."
During an episode of CNN This Morning that aired Thursday, Lemon said that Haley, who recently announced her candidacy for president in the 2024 election, "isn't in her prime." Haley is 51.
The CNN anchor continued with his argument by adding a women is "considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s."
After the episode aired, Haley and others lambasted the anchor for his comments.
"Liberals can't stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job," Haley tweeted. "BTW it's always the liberals who are the most sexist."
Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Texas, wrote: "According to Don Lemon and Google we are on our prime in our 20s,30s & 40s. Google also says men can get pregnant. Don Lemon and Google know nothing about women and our prime!"
According to Don Lemon and Google we are on our prime in our 20s,30s & 40s. Google also says men can get pregnant.
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) February 17, 2023
Don Lemon and Google know nothing about women and our prime!
Several hours after the episode ran, Lemon tweeted: "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."
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
In addition to not appearing on the show the following day, Lemon also issued another apology to his CNN colleagues during the editorial meeting. During the meeting, CNN's chief executive, Chris Licht, also called Lemon's comments "unacceptable" and "unfair to his co-hosts."
"The people I am closest to in this organization are women," Lemon also reportedly said at the meeting. "The people I seek counsel from most in this organization are women."
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