Megyn Kelly called for CNN CEO Chris Licht to fire Don Lemon in a blistering rebuke of Licht’s leadership. She said: “Do women matter? Does our offense matter to CNN or does someone have to grab a boob for us to count Chris Licht? That’s my question to you.
“It shouldn’t have to be that you were raped by a man, or 21 women come forward alleging that they’ve been sexually harassed by a man, or they’ve been inappropriately touched by a man for their offense to matter.
“We’ve seen person after person get fired because they caused offense, mere offense, when it comes to race, when it comes to sexual orientation, when it comes to gender identity.
“Does women’s offense matter? Because this guy [Don Lemon] managed to piss off half the country. It’s not left or right.
“It’s male or female.
“And by the way, a lot of men are with us.
“You don’t have to be a #MeToo supporter to be irritated and offended by what Don Lemon said.
“This one’s not breaking down along partisan lines.
“This is not a left and right. This is about decency.”
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.”
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
