Don Lemon Will Return to CNN Show Following ‘Formal Training’

According to the Hollywood Reporter embattled CNN This Morning anchor Don Lemon will return to the show on Wednesday, CNN CEO Chris Licht told staff in a memo Monday night.

Licht added that Lemon, who has stepped away from the news network’s nascent morning show amid controversy over his comments about Nikki Haley, will participate in formal training before his return, although no details were provided on the type of training he would undertake.

“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,” Licht said in a memo sent Monday night obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Last Thursday on CNN This Morning, Lemon was discussing Haley’s comments that there should be a mental competency test for any politician over age 75. (Both President Joe Biden and fellow Republican candidate Donald Trump are over the age of 75.)

While discussing her remarks, Lemon said that the former South Carolina governor, who is 51, wasn’t “in her prime.”

“Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon said on Thursday’s show. “A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s. If you Google ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it’ll say 20s, 30s and 40s.”

Lemon, 56, has since apologized, but he has been widely condemned, including by CNN CEO Chris Licht. CNN reported that Licht chastised Lemon during an editorial call Friday, saying his remarks were “unacceptable” and “unfair to his co-hosts.”