CNN ratings just keep slipping away, and it seems like nothing can stop the plummet. But fear not, dear viewers, because Don Lemon is here to save the day! Well, sort of.
At the brink of Sen. Nikki Haley’s presidential run announcement, Don Lemon had to weigh in with his oh-so-valuable opinion. In response to Haley calling all politicians over 75 years old to undergo an annual mental competency test, Lemon mentioned he was “uncomfortable” with discussions of age.
He then went on to say that Haley, “isn’t in her prime, sorry.” Lemon continued, “A woman is considered to be in their prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
Co-hosts Poppy Harlow, 40, and Kaitlan Collins, 30, appeared aggravated and confused at Lemon’s response, quickly responding with, “prime for what?”
In defense, Lemon responded, “Google it” and to not “shoot the messenger.” He continued, “And I’m just saying Nikki Haley should be careful about saying that politicians are not in their prime, and they need to be in their prime when they serve. Because she wouldn’t be in her prime according to Google or whatever it is.”
Sen. Haley took to Twitter in response to the CNN journalist:
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. pic.twitter.com/PzpniQFLff
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 16, 2023
Of course, Sen. Haley didn’t take Lemon’s comments lying down. She took to Twitter to indirectly call him out for his sexism and boy, did he feel the burn. Although he did not notably mention Haley’s name, Lemon quickly took to Twitter to apologize for his comments. But it was too little, too late. The damage had been done.
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
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+. https://t.co/wvUNCcNdVt
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 16, 2023
So, there you have it, folks. Another day, another CNN trainwreck – no pun intended. But at least we can count on Don Lemon to keep things interesting, right? Makes you wonder how the media would take his comment if it were referred to Hilary Clinton or any other female Democratic politician.
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