CNN star Don Lemon has jetted off to Miami to spend time sunning himself with his fiancé amid rising calls to fire him from the flagship morning show.
The 56-year-old was seen swimming and frolicking on the beach hours after he joined a CNN editorial call from Miami where he apologized to staff yet again for his comments.
CNN’s Chairman Chris Licht slammed his remarks as ‘upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization.’
Lemon made several ‘sexist’ comments on Thursday’s show when discussing GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s suggestion that politicians 75 and older should face mental competency tests.
His comments reportedly left many staff unimpressed, but Lemon has washed off the criticism by relaxing with his partner Tim Mahone at a luxury beach resort.
The 56-year-old was seen swimming and frolicking on the beach hours after he joined a CNN editorial call from Miami where he apologized to staff yet again for his comments
Lemon was seen smiling hours after the backlash intensified, as he relaxed at a luxury resort in Miami
The pair were seen sunbathing and taking a dip in the ocean, with Lemon taking a break to smile and laugh on the phone – though it is unclear if it was the CNN call.
During the call Lemon said: ‘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. I’m going to continue to be who I am.’
Lemon also cited his relationships with Dana Bash, Erin Burnett, Amy Entelis, and his mom and sister, according to TMZ.
His comments ruffled feathers, with a senior CNN staffer rebutting, ‘this is great, but it’s our viewers who deserve an apology.’
CNN employees reportedly called Lemon ‘tone deaf’ after the call, with one saying it looked like he was giving himself a pat on the back for owning his mistake.
One insider said that there was mounting pressure for Lemon to be fired after his continual gaffes on the early-morning show
The pair were seen sunbathing and taking a dip in the ocean, with Lemon taking a break to smile and laugh on the phone – though it is unclear if it was the CNN call
His comments reportedly left many staff unimpressed, but Lemon has washed off the criticism by relaxing with his partner Tim Mahone at a luxury beach resort
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.’
Kaitlan Collins opened Friday’s show by saying their controversial co-host ‘has the day off’ as Poppy Harlow joked that she was going to ‘complain to bosses’ after going to the all-star NBA game in Utah.
CNN’s Chairman Chris Licht slammed his remarks as ‘upsetting, unacceptable and unfair to his co-hosts, and ultimately a huge distraction to the great work of this organization’
Lemon was replaced for the day by Audie Cornish, as the show avoided acknowledging the comments he made the day before despite rising calls for him to be squeezed out.
Insiders told DailyMail.com that Lemon is ‘rude, self-righteous and clearly sexist’, adding that ‘his apology meant nothing.’
Lemon used to have his own show – Don Lemon Tonight – before Licht canceled it and created the new morning show.
CNN boss Licht previously promised to give the company a makeover since his take over last year but seems to have had little impact.
