CNN's Don Lemon issues apology after claiming Nikki Haley not 'in her prime'

CNN host Don Lemon on Wednesday issued an apology to viewers after a minor controversy in which he claimed that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley wasn't sufficiently "in her prime" to make a run for the White House. 

Lemon had made the on-air comments last week during a broadcast of CNN's "This Morning." Following news of Haley's bid for the presidency, Lemon said: “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry."

“Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just saying what the facts are,” Lemon told his two female co-hosts. 

Lemon was subsequently pulled from the show for several days, returning on Wednesday amid reports that he had been forced by the network to undergo sensitivity training. 

"I appreciate the opportunity to be back on [This Morning today]," Lemon said in the tweet. "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."

Haley, who previously served as the governor of South Carolina, is 51.