Don Lemon Absent From ‘CNN This Morning’ After ‘Unacceptable’ Comments

Martin Holmes February 17, 2023, 10:28 am

Audie Cornish and Kaitlan Collins on CNN This Morning — CNN

CNN This Morning looked a little different on Friday (February 17) as Don Lemon was absent from the show, the day after he made tone-deaf comments about women in their 50s not being “in their prime.”

Lemon’s comments came during a discussion about politician Nikki Haley and her belief that politicians over 75 need “mental competency tests.” On Thursday’s episode, Lemon said Haley, 51, needed to be careful because “[she] isn’t in her prime,” adding, “Sorry, when a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”

CNN This Morning co-host Poppy Harlow took issue with Lemon’s remarks and, according to the New York Post, walked off the set for a “well-timed” bathroom break.

Harlow was also absent, though that’s because she is on location in Salt Lake City, where she is covering the NBA All-Star weekend. The episode started with a short clip of Harlow on location, where she interviewed the likes of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.

Lemon was said to have had a pre-planned day off from Friday’s show. Regular co-host Kaitlan Collins shared the news on Thursday’s episode, saying, “And also, a special treat. Audie [Cornish] is going to be joining us tomorrow, Don’s going to be off, Poppy is going to be on assignment anchoring from Salt Lake City.”

.@AudieCornish is co-anchoring CNN This Morning with @kaitlancollins! pic.twitter.com/Z9vWYgzQ0N

— Joanna Preston (@JoPrestonTV) February 17, 2023

Collins was joined by Audie Cornish, a former National Public Radio journalist, for Friday’s show. “Don has the day off,” Collins said at the top of the episode. She did not touch on Thursday’s blow-up.

“Poppy, as you can see, is in Utah for the NBA All-Star Game, so we’ll get to that and much more in a moment,” Collins continued.

Bill Maher's 'Overtime' Coming to CNN's Friday Night Lineup

According to The Daily Beast, Lemon apologized for his comments during an editorial call on Friday. “I’m sorry I don’t mean to hurt anyone. I did not mean to offend anyone,” he said. “What I said came out wrong, and I wish I hadn’t said it. I believe women of any age can do anything they set their minds to. The people I am closest to in this organization are women.”

CNN CEO Chris Licht also spoke on the daily call, saying Lemon’s remarks were “unacceptable and unfair and a huge distraction.”

“When I make a mistake. I own it, and I own this one as well. I understand why you are upset and disappointed,” Lemon continued before adding, “I’m going to continue to be who I am.”

Correction: This article was updated to include comments from Thursday’s This Morning regarding Lemon’s planned absence.