Don Lemon Benched for Monday CNN Show After Sexist Comment

Question

The actual title - "Don Lemon Benched for Monday CNN Show After Sexist Comment" may be true (it happened after he made the comment), but it implies the it was BECAUSE of the comment. Was it? Or is this unknowable?

Answer 1

Based on everything that has happened surrounding this scandal and the press it has recieved, it wouldn't be wrong to say that Lemon's comment is why he wasn't on the show. However, there is no actual fact of this as CNN hasn't commented on why Lemon wasn't on the show. Lemon had a pre-scheduled day off on Friday but also didn't return to the show on Monday. 

Lemon's controversial comment was about women's age and when they are 'past their prime.' He stated on national television "Nikki Haley isn't in her prime. Sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s." He has since tweeted out and apology saying that he was in the wrong. 

It is hard to say that this is why he was 'benched,' but it is highly likely.

Don Lemon Absent From CNN Following Nikki Haley Remarks (people.com)

Answer 2

Don Lemon will in fact be benched for the Monday CNN show due to his sexist comments directed towards Nikki Haley. According to Daily Beast, "But by Sunday afternoon a new on-air lineup schedule was sent out by CNN management that had the show being anchored by Harlow and Sara Sidner in New York with Collins in Poland, according to two people familiar with the matter." Thus, because this statement was sent out by CNN management, we should not expect to see Don Lemon on the air tonight. 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/don-lemon-cut-from-monday-lineup-of-cnns-this-morning-insiders-say

Comments

Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately the article requires a subscription so I can't read it. This kind of remark is so out of character for him to make seriously, that perhaps he was just kidding or saying it to make an editorial point.

Also, what rank?

Answer 3

After reviewing several sources, this claim seems likely to be true, but we can not be absolutely certain.

 Lemon made comments about former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley saying on air, "Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s." according to USA Today.

 While Lemon had a planned day off on Saturday, he was originally scheduled to be on the air Monday before the comments were made. A schedule sent out Sunday afternoon revealed he would be replaced for Monday's show according to the Huff Post and The Daily Beast's Confinder. While it can not be certain that this is the reason he was benched from Monday's show, it seems plausible.

 A CNN spokesperson said, "He’s been chased by paparazzi all weekend. He’s been under attack. He’s not ready to go back on air," according to the Huff Post article. CNN Lead Chris Licht also made comments on the situation, "His remarks were upsetting, unacceptable, and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization,”

https://news.yahoo.com/don-lemon-apologizes-saying-nikki-143532540.html

https://news.yahoo.com/don-lemon-taking-monday-off-035736661.html

https://www.thedailybeast.com/don-lemon-cut-from-monday-lineup-of-cnns-this-morning-insiders-say