Don Lemon, who did not appear on his CNN morning show on Friday after making sexist remarks the day before about presidential candidate Nikki Haley, is now being removed from the show entirely.
Sources told Confinder that a new schedule is in place per CNN management, and Lemon is not on it. Instead, Poppy Harlow will be accompanied by Sara Sidner and Kaitlan Collins, who is in Poland, the Daily Beast reports.
“There are ongoing conversations about Don’s future,” a source told Confider. “He is a constant distraction.”
Lemon apologized to CNN staffers over the remarks on Friday after having said “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon said. This in response to Haley calling for politicians over the age of 75 to take “mental competency tests.” CNN CEO Christ Licht had said he was “disappointed” by the remarks.
Don Lemon did apologize for the sexist comments, but it may be too little too late for the morning show host who will not be on the show Monday. On Friday, he said, “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.”
“His remarks were upsetting, unacceptable, and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization,” Licht said on a Friday editorial call.
Kat Timpf, a Fox News host, was quick to respond to Lemon’s apology pointing out the arrogance of both his actions and comment made. “You interrupted and talked over the woman who pointed it out to you on the air during the segment!!!”
Don Lemon was just recently demoted in September after he was dropped from his prime-time spot and moved into a morning spot that replaced New Day.