Don Lemon Absent From ‘CNN This Morning’ After ‘Unacceptable’ Comments
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.
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.
Conversation25 Comments
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P
I cant believe CNN is still putting up with this guy. Ratings plummit wherever he goes. If he wasnt a gay minority he would be gone. Im gay btw. I use to love him then he got too opinionated. Sad i really wanted to like him. Time to go
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S
The ratings at cnn have been plummeting anyway. They probably don’t even notice anymore.
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C
Don doesn't seem to be happy in the new position at CNN. He came from being the single host of his own show to having to share with two other people. He's not having good days, obviously.
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A
Never cared for his journalistic style. He comes across as arrogant and entitled. I often questioned his reporting on news…I do not trust him. On the other hand Collin’s and Harlow were my go to during the Presidential election. I just cannot watch him. Plus as a woman turning 50 in a month I am stronger, well versed, sought out and more confident than ever in my career. Guess what my 20s, 30s and 40s built my prime to my 50s and hopefully beyond.
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G
Send him on his way, now!
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R
I like Don Lemon. He was reacting to the way Nikki Haley was trying to diminish Biden and Trump because of there age. Lemon’s reaction was retaliatory. But he’s NOT running for president. She is no role model for the job. Newscasters are not making policy.
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M
I don’t think that Haley was trying to diminish biden or Trump. The condition of biden as demonstrated
in public is a national security issue. She is just being patriotic and realistic!
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O
Those that don't like what Lemon said should show there discuss for what Hailey said about the current president and a past f.. l.
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R
I like the guy. People will be people grow up. Trump said everything but he was still the President.
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P
Time for Lemon to go back to a solo job. His personality does not work with multiple partners. When you have lemon not always do you get lemonade
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B
Lemon needs to go! Nothing but controversy! All he does is stir the pot. I was an avid watcher of New Day but, when Lemon came to CNN this morning, I was done! Watch NewsNation! I swapped!
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C
Just another hypocritical liberal. Had someone at Fox News made that comment, there would have been screams from everyone for heads to roll.
The Nikki Haley campaign can thank this idiot for giving them her new campaign slogan -- something that has the word "Prime" right in the center of it.
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S
Who really cares? I mean come on! Why not talk about the REAL problem at CNN? CNN itself is the problem! The whole network has become nothing but a (BAD) joke over the last several years! It’s long past time for them to just hang it up and walk away from the news business officially, since they already have unofficially.
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O
Hopefully they fire his nasty butt. Do you remember when he stuck his hand in his pants then stuck his fingers in that guys face at the bar? Hes a disgusting person!
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C
Remember, when “your” president went around grabbing women’s private parts? Later, to not only admit to it—but, also to brag about it? & You still voted for him! 😂😂
Leave Don alone! He mis-spoke, he admitted it. MOVE ON!
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J
I do not care who it is or on what news stations they are on, I always ask myself, "Can I look up what a reporter just said?" If not, then it is not news it's an opinion. If this was an evening show that starts off telling you they are an opinion show, then I get it. Don't you? In a poll I saw a few years ago, people were asked where they get their news. Many seriously replied "comedy shows."
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G
Bye bye Don Lemon!
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G
This guy is the single reason I avoid this network. He's so bias. He needs to do only opinion pieces - not news. He says so many outrageous or disrespectful things and tries to present them as fact. CNN let's this guy go completely unchecked; they seem to encourage it - yet they fire Coumo. 🤷🏼♀️
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S
ALL of the anchors on cnn only really do opinion pieces since they ALL report their opinions as if they were facts which is why journalists are a dying breed. CNN doesn’t even come to mind now when I want to hear reliable news. I don’t even think the network would allow them(the anchors) to report honest, factual, unbiased news even if they wanted to, which they clearly don’t.
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G
Lemon is full of himself haven't liked him for awhile
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G
Don just thinks he all that hope he get reprimanded again... He needs to learn or just let him go
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M
I think that Lemon should be paid off and taken off any show at CNN. He has become a liability. His color does not give him the right to be wrong!
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E
This is all much to do about nothing Just move on.....
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P
It wouldn't be if it was a conservative saying it about Kamala.
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B
You are a 'Lemon' apologist'---enough said!
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