NEW YORK — CNN broadcaster Don Lemon said he’s “learning” before he returned to his morning show Wednesday for the first time since receiving backlash for remarks about presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Lemon’s appearance on “CNN This Morning” came nearly a week after he said Haley, a Republican, isn’t “in her prime” at age 51. He didn’t address the controversy during Wednesday’s episode.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today,” Lemon tweeted 25 minutes before his return to air. “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.”
Lemon, 56, made the remark on last Thursday’s show during a discussion about Haley’s support of mental competency tests for politicians over 75.
“A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s,” Lemon said, citing Google search results.
Co-host Poppy Harlow responded, “Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing or are you talking about prime for being president?”
Lemon issued an apology later that day, saying he regretted his “inartful and irrelevant” comment.
“A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally,” Lemon tweeted at the time. “I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.”
In a memo to employees this week, CNN said Lemon would undergo formal training and return to the morning show.
“I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation,” CNN CEO Chris Licht wrote. “He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously.”
Licht continued, “It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with ... fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes.”
Some CNN employees remain upset by Lemon’s comments, according to TMZ, which reported Wednesday the anchor was told he’d be removed permanently if another incident occurs.
CNN didn’t immediately respond to a Daily News request for comment.
Lemon, who graduated from Brooklyn College, began with CNN in 2006. The network launched “CNN This Morning” in November with Lemon, Harlow and Kaitlan Collins as co-hosts.
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