Don Lemon is now apologizing for comments he made on CNN This Morning earlier today. According to TMZ, the television journalist criticized presidential candidate Nikki Haley. But further than that, declared that women above 50 cannot be in their “prime.”
CNN's Don Lemon is trending for saying women, like presidential candidate Nikki Haley, are well beyond their "prime" years — a comment that irked his cohosts, and millions of people online. https://t.co/DjlQqXGTwe
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 16, 2023
Don Lemon Shared The Commentary Early On Thursday
Don Lemon and his co-host were discussing presidential candidate Nikki Haley, live on air. Haley has received a lot of recent publicity for stating that “mental competency tests” should be ordered for older politicians over the age of 75, as reported by The Hill.
Lemon shared his thoughts on the matter. And explained that the “talk about age,” initiated by Haley, has made him “uncomfortable.” Then, he went on to unabashedly say that Haley, herself, isn’t in her prime.
She says something that politicians are not in their prime, Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime — sorry — when a woman is considered to be in her prime, in her 20s, and 30s, and maybe 40s… If you Google, ‘when is a woman in her prime?’ it will say 20s, 30s, and 40s…
Lemon went on to say doesn’t necessarily “agree.” But feels Haley should “be careful about saying politicians aren’t in their prime.”
The journalist’s co-hosts, who are both women, seemed visually bothered by Lemon’s comments. He seemed to notice and asked them, as well as viewers, not to “shoot the messenger.”
He repeatedly referenced Google as the source of his information.
Don Lemon says Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime as a politician because she’s not in her 20’s, 30’s or 40’s. Holy shit. She’s only 51! Biden’s 80! This may be the dumbest thing ever said on CNN. And I love that he cited Google as his source: pic.twitter.com/l1CzTYlkjX
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 16, 2023
Social Media Users React To Lemon’s Comments
Twitter users were quick to react to Lemon’s commentary about women.
Don Lemon: “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry, When a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s…”
Kamala Harris is 58.— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 16, 2023
Dear @donlemon,
My mother is close to turning 70 and she is in her damn prime. Being in YOUR PRIME means being healthy and happy and fully confident in who you really are and what your purpose in life is…Signed,
A woman in her PRIME https://t.co/CQtwP9y7vm— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) February 16, 2023
.@NikkiHaley is 51. Why didn’t you Google Hillary Clinton’s age, @donlemon? pic.twitter.com/TbnObmpL1o
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) February 16, 2023
I just "googled" and found out that I'm a year older than @NikkiHaley.
According to @donlemon all women aged 50 and up are "past our prime!"
I'd argue we're just getting started!
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) February 16, 2023
Lemon Shared His “Regret” For His Statements
Haley, who is a Republican, clapped back at “liberals” for Lemon’s remarks via Twitter, Thursday morning.
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
On Thursday afternoon, Lemon tweeted a statement regarding his commentary.
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
Roommates, what do you think about Lemon’s statements?
