Don Lemon Ignores Swirling Controversy in Return to CNN

Don Lemon returned to "CNN This Morning" on Wednesday after taking last Friday and Monday off following controversy-inciting on-air comments he made about the age of GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley last week. But if viewers were expecting an on-air apology or explanation in his return, they didn't get it. Lemon didn't even broach the topic of his claim that women over 50 years old are past their "prime."

Instead, he was as business-as-usual as he could be, though he tweeted before Wednesday morning's show that he appreciated the "opportunity to be back" and renewed claims he is "sorry" to his network, colleagues, and (dwindling) audience. In addition, he said he's "committed to doing better."

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

Supposedly that includes some sort of training, though it seems Lemon should already know it's unwise to lash out at colleagues on- and off-air or attack women for their age. To that end, media veteran Megyn Kelly has offered to help with Lemon's reeducation in a fiery thread:

Day 1 of Don Lemon’s “formal training” on how not to be a misogynist. Let’s help!
1. Women are not damaged goods when they hit 40.
2. Rape victims don’t need your lecture on how to respond to their rape.
3. Women forgetting a fact do not have “mommy brain.” They’re, um… human.

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 21, 2023

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For her part, Nikki Haley has made the most of Lemon's comments, saying, "You want to tell me I’m past my prime, hold my beer and watch this," and rushing some fresh campaign merchandise to react in a bid to fully capitalize off of what was a significant in-kind donation from Lemon to Haley's fledgling presidential bid. "Turning lemons into lemonade," Haley tweeted in typical happy conservative warrior style on Tuesday along with her campaign's new koozies:

Turning lemons into lemonade.

Get yours now: https://t.co/qIEBhDkAcM pic.twitter.com/UjTS9L8vGL

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 21, 2023