Don Lemon Gets Punished By CNN, CEO Takes Him Off Airwaves Until He Receives ‘Formal Training’

CNN CEO Chris Licht handed anchor Don Lemon his punishment for sexist comments Lemon made on air. Lemon did the impossible and brought America together against him. CNN employees were furious and Lemon was said to be skating on thin ice at the network.

Licht did not fire Lemon, but took him off the air for a few days and said Lemon will undergo formal training. CNN’s CEO said: “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.

“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.”

According to CNN:

During CNN’s Friday editorial meeting, Licht, the network’s chief executive, said that he had heard from a number of people inside the organization about Lemon’s remarks.

Licht described Lemon’s comments as “unacceptable” and said they were “unfair to his co-hosts.”

Licht added that he believed it was necessary to foster a culture of accountability and felt it was important for Lemon to appear at the morning meeting, which took place virtually, so that he could apologize.

Lemon thanked Licht for the opportunity to directly address staffers and said that he wanted to be “really clear” about his regret for making the comments.

Lemon apologized to CNN staff earlier:

“I’m sorry I don’t mean to hurt anyone. I did not mean to offend anyone.

“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. 

“The people I am closest to in this organization are women.”

“When I make a mistake. 

“I own it and I own this one as well.

“I understand why you are upset and disappointed.

“I was trying to make the point that no one’s age should define their ambition or potential for success and I was saying those comments to Nikki Haley,” he said.

Lemon also apologized to the public on Twitter:

“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.”

Incredible. Don Lemon was the most practical and useful Black leadership voice until. . . something broke him. https://t.co/3fRAoD3GlP

— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) February 21, 2023

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