In One Bombshell Twist, CNN Brings Back Don Lemon Despite Misogyny Backlash – Ratings Downfall Most Likely Reason Behind Network Not Having the Guts to Kick Him Out
It has almost been a week since on last Thursday’s episode of CNN This Morning, Don Lemon made some contentious remarks that the former governor of South Carolina should categorize the ages of candidates for office.
Currently, Don Lemon ranks among the most well-known journalists in the world. Following the new network CEO Chris Licht’s decision to move the American television journalist from his primetime 10 PM show to a morning show, the move generated significant media attention last year. After making sexist comments about women getting older and missing their prime on-air, Lemon recently came under fire from many people.
The backlash did little to improve the show’s ratings, which are already at a record-low level.
According to reports, CNN anchor Don Lemon returned to the air on Wednesday morning in light of the show’s reportedly declining rating points.
CNN Brings Back Don Lemon Despite Backlashes He Received
Don Lemon expressed regret for his “inartful and irrelevant” remarks about women on last Thursday’s show, which sparked a strong backlash from his coworkers and viewers. This is the most recent setback for CNN’s struggling new morning show.
In a Tweet sent out 30 minutes before he and his co-host, Poppy Harlow returned to the screen, CNN host Don Lemon expressed regret for not bringing up the controversy during the first half of the show. Just before going live, he tweeted,
“I appreciate the opportunity to return to CNN This Morning today. 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. See you soon.”
I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today. 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.
See you soon.— Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 22, 2023
Following a brief period of awkwardness while waiting for Harlow to introduce the show, Lemon quickly got back into character and started laughing and joking.
While his co-host Kaitlan Collins is still in Poland covering the president’s trip, Lemon did not address his behavior on This Morning and instead launched the show with praise for President Biden’s speech from yesterday. Following his remarks that GOP Nikki Haley was “past her prime,” the celebrity journalist, 56, reportedly had to undergo “formal training.”
Don Lemon has Received His ‘Final Warning’
Chris Licht, the chairman of CNN, who has criticized Don Lemon’s comments, informed staff members in a memo on Monday that he has to agree to take part in the training now. Licht allegedly stated in a memo distributed to staff members on Monday, “I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation.”
As he reported in the memo Lemon has consented to take part in formal training as well as to keep listening and picking up new information. “It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes,” Licht added.
Insiders informed that Lemon is aware that he is on his “final warning” following a string of offensive mistakes he has committed on the morning show.
In a previous editorial call on Friday, Licht stated that the comments were “upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction from the great work of this organization.”
For the unheard, Lemon made some derogatory comments on Thursday, February 16 while discussing presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s suggestion that politicians 75 and older should undergo mental competency tests. He made sexist comments about older women that drew criticism.
