Don Lemon will take part “in formal training” following uproar over sexist feedback he made whereas discussing Nikki Haley. The embattled CNN This Morning host has been off the air since Thursday’s controversy, however will return on Wednesday. The information comes as a report claims there are inner discussions concerning the journalist’s future on the community.
CNN CEO Chris Licht despatched a memo to employees on Monday evening addressing the state of affairs.
“I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation. He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously,” Licht stated within the observe obtained by Yahoo Entertainment. “It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes. To that end, Don will return to CNN This Morning on Wednesday.”
No particulars had been offered on the kind of coaching and CNN is just not commenting. However, a supply tells Yahoo there are numerous assets that might be offered by the community and Lemon is dedicated to the deliberate path ahead.
The Daily Beast‘s Confider reported that Lemon’s employment at CNN might be in jeopardy; nonetheless, a second supply disputes that to Yahoo.
“There are ongoing conversations about Don’s future,” an individual claimed to Confider. “He is a constant distraction.”
While Yahoo’s insider admits “there’s been tension” between Lemon and a few of his colleagues, “there is no indication” he’ll be ousted over the scandal.
Last week, Lemon sparked widespread backlash for declaring that Haley, a 51-year-old Republican presidential candidate, “isn’t in her prime.” The fiasco is the newest in a string of drama surrounding the anchor since CNN This Morning launched three months in the past.
Nov. 2022
CNN debuted the brand new marquee morning program anchored by Lemon, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. The present changed New Day and was one in every of Licht’s greatest programming shake-ups since he took over as head of the community in May. Lemon stated goodbye to his primetime present Don Lemon Tonight after eight years forward of the move.
“There is no stronger combination of talent than Don, Poppy and Kaitlan to deliver on our promise of a game-changing morning news program,” Licht stated in a press launch, calling the trio “uniquely intelligent, reliable and compelling” whereas highlighting their “rare and palpable chemistry.”
Dec. 1, 2022
Lemon, Harlow and Collins’s “chemistry” was on full show whereas discussing pay fairness for the U.S. ladies’s soccer group — and it was fiery. Lemon seemingly shocked his co-anchors by saying that “everyone is going to hate me,” however the males’s group, not ladies’s, is chargeable for the enhance in recognition in soccer.
“The men’s team makes more money. If they make more money, then they should get more money,” Lemon declared. “The men’s team makes more money because people are more interested in the men.”
Harlow pushed again, inflicting Lemon to declare he is “not sexist” as a result of he grew up “the only boy in a family of all women.”
“But not everybody, honestly, has the same skill. Not everybody has the same interest in the sport. I think the women should be paid more, I do,” Lemon added. “But if the men —”
“You’re right that not everyone has the same skills because the women have better skills,” Collins interjected.
“Mic drop!” Harlow smiled.
“The women are better skilled against other women,” Lemon added. “But if the women played the men, they wouldn’t be winning the way that they win.”
Collins and Harlow appeared irritated as Lemon doubled down on how the boys’s group makes more cash “because people are more interested in men.”
“I’m saying [women] should get paid more money, but if there’s more interest in the men’s and more money is coming in in the men’s sports, those men are entitled to that money,” he added.
“But I don’t think you’re looking at the root of the issue, which is why are people more interested in the men’s sports,” Collins pushed again.
“Because it’s more interesting to watch,” Lemon declared. “I’m kidding. That was a joke, I didn’t mean that.”
Lemon’s take made headlines.
Dec. 8, 2022
Collins and Lemon had a clumsy change whereas overlaying breaking information of Brittney Griner’s launch from Russia. There had been a number of occasions the place Collins tried to interject, which appeared to irk Lemon. At one level, he waved his finger at her and informed her to “standby.”
Dec. 9, 2022
Lemon “skipped hosting duties with little advance notice,” Puck News reported, as sources gave conflicting causes as to why. Some claimed he was drained from touring for the White House Christmas celebration, others pointed to the testy phase with Collins someday prior.
Feb. 2, 2023
A pair of studies from Page Six and Fox News claimed that after the Dec. Eight on-air mud up, Lemon “snapped” at Collins behind the scenes.
“At this point, Kaitlan wants to be on set with Don as little as possible,” a supply with data of the state of affairs claimed to Page Six calling the state of affairs “messy.”
Feb. 7, 2023
Collins carried out an interview with James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, for CNN This Morning about upcoming hearings on Hunter Biden’s laptop computer. After their sit down, the present minimize to Harlow and Lemon in studio and the latter was dismayed that Comer cited the New York Post as a reputable outlet. While Lemon could have simply taken subject with Comer’s responses, given his previous on-air pressure with Collins, it appeared as if he was criticizing his colleague. Harlow jumped in and praised Collins for “fact-checking in real time” and doing a “great interview.”
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Feb. 16, 2023
Lemon set the web ablaze together with his feedback about Haley whereas discussing the previous South Carolina governor’s remarks that there ought to be a psychological competency check for any politician over age 75.
“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon declared. “A woman is considered to be in their prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.
Harlow asked Lemon to clarify his stance while Collins looked on stoic.
“If you Google ‘when is a lady in her prime?’ it’s going to say 20s, 30s and 40s,” Lemon stated.
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
Hours later, Lemon tried to apologize as he referred to as his feedback “inartful and irrelevant.”
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
Feb. 17, 2023
Lemon had a well-timed planned absence from CNN This Morning. However, he was facing heat both internally and externally. On an editorial call, Licht condemned Lemon’s comments.
“His remarks had been upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and finally an enormous distraction to the nice work of this group,” Licht informed his employees, in line with a recording obtained by The New York Times.
Lemon referred to as into the assembly and apologized for six minutes, making it clear he stands in opposition to racism and sexism.
“I’m sorry,” Lemon said per the Times. “I didn’t imply to harm anybody. I didn’t imply to offend anybody.” He name-checked female colleagues like Dana Bash and Erin Burnett, explaining “the individuals I’m closest to on this group are ladies.”
Feb. 20, 2023
CNN This Morning aired without Lemon, an absence that was not pre-planned, notes one of Yahoo’s sources. Licht sent a memo on Monday night announcing Lemon’s return and that the anchor will undergo “formal coaching.”