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Don Lemon issued an online apology for his recent sexist remarks ahead of his CNN return Wednesday morning.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today,” the journalist tweeted. “To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience — I’m sorry.
“I’ve heard you, I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better,” the 56-year-old continued. “See you soon.”
The Emmy winner joined colleague Poppy Harlow onscreen within the hour, making no mention of the scandal that left him off the air for three days.
Harlow, 40, did the same, saying, “Good morning everyone, Don and I are here in New York, we’re glad you’re with us.”
She and Kaitlan Collins were present on Feb. 16 when Lemon claimed that presidential candidate Nikki Haley “isn’t in her prime” as a 51-year-old woman.
He added, “A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s.”
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When Harlow pressed her co-host on whether he was referencing “prime for childbearing” or “prime for being president,” Lemon doubled down.
“If you Google, ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s,” he said at the time. “I’m not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that [politicians aren’t in their prime].”
The former NBC correspondent, who was subsequently benched from the morning show, apologized to his co-workers on an internal call after backlash.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to hurt anyone,” Lemon said, according to a transcript obtained by the New York Post.
“I did not mean to offend anyone,” he added. “What I said came out wrong and I wish I hadn’t said it. I believe women of any age can do anything they set their minds to.”
Lemon has since agreed to undergo “formal training” after having a “frank and meaningful conversation” with CEO Chris Licht.
