CNN CEO Chris Licht broke his silence on the latest scandal at the low-rated network with a blistering rebuke of CNN host Don Lemon. Licht defended Nikki Haley and Lemon’s co-hosts who were stunned at his absurd comments.
Licht said: “His remarks were upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization.” Nikky Haley was not satisfied and said:
“This is something that I have faced all of my life. I have always made the liberals’ heads explode. They can’t stand the fact that a minority, conservative, female would not be on the Democratic side.
“He made that comment. I wasn’t sitting there saying sexist middle-aged CNN anchors need to have mental competency tests, although he may have just proven that point.
“What I was saying is that we need to be transparent.
“Those elected officials that are making key decisions for us Americans on national security, and keeping our kids safe and the debt, yes we need to know exactly that we are sending people that are mentally competent to do that,” she said.
Lemon apologized to CNN’s staff saying:
“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.
According to The Daily Mail, CNN employees want Lemon fired:
One insider said that there was mounting pressure for Lemon to be fired after his continual gaffes on the early-morning show.
They told DailyMail.com: ‘Don has been skating on thin ice for so long and many wanted him fired in December when he freaked out on Kaitlin Collins for no reason. She was in tears and it was so inappropriate.
‘Regardless of his political affiliation, his comments that Nikki Haley being past her prime were disgusting. Poppy was fuming, as she should be, and still is.
‘He is rude, self-righteous and clearly sexist. Nikki did the right thing by calling him out.
‘His apology meant nothing and there is so much pressure for him to be canned. It would be a shock if he wasn’t.’
