CNN Anchor Poppy Harlow Storms Off Set After Sexist Comments By Don Lemon

Don Lemon made sexist comments about former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on Thursday that enraged his co-anchors that Poppy Harlow left the set. Kaitlan Collins followed Harlow off the set and into the bathroom.

Tension has been building between the three for several months.

The controversy began with a proposal Haley made in her presidential announcement speech about instituting a mental company test for politicians over the age of 75.

“This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable,” Lemon said. “I think it’s the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians are suddenly not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime.”

Lemon continued, “A woman is considered to be in their prime in [their] the 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”

Harlow immediately called him out, saying, “What are you talking about, wait … Prime for what?”

Lemon then attempted to backtrack. “That’s not according to me,” he added. “It’s like, prime. If you look it up…. if you Google when is a woman in her prime, it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. 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, you know, Google.”

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

Lemon faced immediate backlash on social media and was pushed to issue a public apology.

“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,” Lemon said later in a statement. “A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”

Sources have pointed to the frustration brewing on set over Lemons’ rude behavior towards co-anchors and guests.

CNN boss Chris Licht is reportedly considering firing Lemon for his latest gaffe.

During the informal meeting “Coffee with Chris” with CNN staffers, Licht condemned Lemon’s comments.

Neither Harlow nor Collins have elected to comment on the situation.