Don Lemon.Photo: Dominik Bindl/Getty

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Don Lemon attends The 15th Annual CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 12, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

“I appreciate this opportunity to be back onCNN This Morningtoday,” he wrote. “To my network, my colleagues and our incredible audience —I’m sorry. I’ve heard you. I’m learning from you, and I’m committed to doing better.See you soon.”

Lemon made the denigrating remarks during a Feb. 16 episode ofCNN This Morning, while discussing politicians' ages in a segment with co-hostsPoppy Harlow, 40, andKaitlan Collins, 30 — the latter of whom was in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Lemon continued, “She says … politicians are not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”

Viewers were quick to call Lemon’s remarks sexist and ageist, with many also highlighting that he is five years older than Haley.

Nikki Haley speaks at a rally for Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker in Nov. 2022.Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at a rally for Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker in Hiram, Georgia on November 6th, 2022.

Lemon did not appear on air during the next three broadcasts. He reportedly had a previously scheduled day off on Friday, but his absence Monday and Tuesday appeared a response to the backlash.

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source: people.com