Nikki Haley slammed CNN’s Don Lemon as a sexist, middle-aged anchor after the host claimed women in their 40s and 50s are past their prime.
Lemon, who apparently now considers himself an authority on women, made the comments during a broadcast on Thursday CNN this morning.
He responded to Haley’s call for a “mental competency test” for politicians over 75.
“This whole discussion about age makes me uncomfortable. I think that’s the wrong road to go down,” Lemon explained. “He said people, you know, politicians are something if they’re not in their prime.”
Then he drops this pearl of wisdom: “Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe even 40s.”
Co-host Poppy Harlow pressed Lemon on whether her definition applied to a woman’s age being “prime for childbearing” or “prime for being president.”
Lemon argued that his definition of prime years was a “fact” because he looked it up on Google. And right there, CNN believes the man is the most qualified male co-host for their morning program.
Don Lemon: “Nikki Haley is not in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is supposed to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe even 40s…”
Poppy Harlow: “Are you talking about prime like giving birth?”
“Don’t shoot the messenger! I’m just saying what the facts are! Google it!” pic.twitter.com/n1HmtkWTpl
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 16, 2023
Contents
Support conservative voices!
Sign up to get the latest Political news, insights, and commentary delivered straight to your inbox.
RELATED: Nikki Haley: Older politicians should have cognitive tests
Critics turned to the CNN host
CNN colleagues report that Don Lemon has been fired for his idiotic comments about Nikki Haley.
“People are definitely upset about it,” one insider told Fox News Digital, while another described it as “stupid to say the least.”
The New York Post reported that Harlow actually left the set after the exchange, describing it as “a ‘well-timed’ bathroom break”.
TODAY’S COVER: Poppy Harlow leaves CNN set after heated exchange with Don Lemon https://t.co/hpRJ2NOZK1 pic.twitter.com/GE2QfSarQO
— New York Post (@nypost) February 17, 2023
Other women clearly still in their prime, if not just beginning their prime, noticed Lemon.
Writer Janice Dean suggested Haley use the clip of Lemon’s sexist comments as a campaign ad, quipping, “And [CNN] Wonder why they’re hemorrhaging the audience.”
just heard @donlemon said @NikkiHaley “Past His Prime”
as a woman. And then when challenged he said: “Just Google it!”and @@CNN Wondering why they are hemorrhaging the audience.
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) February 16, 2023
Podcast host Megyn Kelly accused Lemon of engaging in “a pattern” of making “sexist” comments to her female colleagues.
“I don’t know how much longer CNN can let this go on,” he said.
“I’m very disturbed by this guy, and, honestly, his behavior — and I don’t use that word about a lot of people — but there’s a pattern with him,” Kelly claimed. “The absurdity of suggesting that a woman, like Nikki Haley, is past her prime at 51.”
RELATED: Trump has his first opponent for the 2024 GOP nomination
Don Lemon apologizes, but doesn’t mention Nikki Haley
Whatever you think of politician Nikki Haley, she’s certainly not past her prime. Nor any woman his age or older.
Lemon apologized for not apologizing after criticism of his comments. It’s as cowardly as you’d expect it to be.
The CNN host described his comments as “absurd and irrelevant,” which should be the entire network’s tagline at this point.
“A woman’s age does not define her personally or professionally,” Lemon said. “There are countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
The reference I made this morning about a woman “priming” was illogical and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones pointed out, and I regret it. A woman’s age does not define her personally or professionally. There are countless women in my life who prove that every day.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 16, 2023
Lemon, however, didn’t mention Haley — his leading lady he insulted — by name, nor did he tag her in the apology tweet.
But that didn’t stop the Republican presidential candidate from absolutely smoking hot in his response.
“To be clear, I’m not calling for competency tests for sexist middle-aged CNN anchors,” he countered, “only for our lawmakers and those 75+.”
To be clear, I’m not calling for an aptitude test for sexist middle-aged CNN anchors; Only for those who make our laws and are 75+. https://t.co/wvUNCcNdVt
— Nikki Haley (@Nikki Haley) February 16, 2023
oops Lemon has just been beaten by a woman in her prime. Who had that on their bingo card?