CNN's Don Lemon provokes backlash for 'sexism' over Nikki Haley comments

CNN's Don Lemon sparked considerable backlash for opining on GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley's age in a manner his cohosts interpreted as a remark on her fertility.

During the morning program, which he cohosts with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, Lemon remarked on Haley's call for politicians over the age of 75 to take mental competency tests. Lemon expressed concerns about claiming that "politicians are past their prime," and contended that Haley, 51, is "past her prime," which he said people might generally define as being in one's 20s, 30s, and 40s.

"I think we need a qualifier. Are you talking about prime for like child bearing or are you talking about prime for being president?" asked Harlow.

"I'm just saying what the facts are. Google it," Lemon retorted. "Nikki Haley should be careful about saying that politicians are not in their prime... because she wouldn't be in her prime," he contended.

While the on-air exchange did not turn hostile between Lemon and his cohosts, viewers took a negative view of Lemon's comments, considering them to be sexist.

Political columnist Meghan McCain, for instance, reshared the clip on Twitter, adding only the comment "sexist pig."

BBC World reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh retorted sarcastically that "Going on national television early in the morning sat between two women to tell the entire world you've googled 'prime age for women'. Totally normal thing to do."

"When Trump called Lemon the dumbest man in news he was not kidding, Jesus," another viewer opined.

Lemon formerly hosted a primetime show but lost his timeslot and wound up on a morning program with Harlow and Collins. He has reportedly struggled to contain his frustration over losing his solo show and has lashed out at his cohosts, in particular Collins, Fox reported.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.