As Bonchie covered earlier, one of CNN’s resident idiots, Don Lemon, ruffled just about every feather when he stated on air that Nikki Haley’s not in her “prime” when discussing Haley’s proposition that older politicians be required to take “mental competency tests,” specifically tying the discussion of one’s prime to gender:

Don Lemon: “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, and 30s, and maybe 40s…” Poppy Harlow: “Are you talking about prime for like child bearing?” “Don’t shoot the messenger! I’m just saying what the facts are! Google it!”

Just hours later, after being roundly criticized, Lemon tweeted a sort-of apology. Seriously. Read between the lines of this.

The reference I made to a woman’s “prime” this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) February 16, 2023

He wrote:

The reference I made to a woman’s “prime” this morning was inartful and irrelevant, as colleagues and loved ones have pointed out, and I regret it. A woman’s age doesn’t define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day.

Well, somebody was subjected to a struggle session; that much is obvious. Even then he simply says that his reference was “inartful or irrelevant.” He really doesn’t walk back the stuff about a woman’s “prime.” And by “countless women who prove that every day,” he’s actually saying that “despite their age, these women still kick ass every day.” Really?

In addition to personally having a problem with what Lemon said (at 50, I’m absolutely in my prime, in all aspects of life), I have a few other issues with Lemon’s comments.

First, since when is Google the source of truth for anything, let alone when a human being is in their prime?

Second, what is a woman? Is Lemon claiming to know what a woman is? How does he define woman?

Third, would Lemon say that Gavin Newsom is in his prime? Haley just turned 51; Newsom is 55. Is he implying that Ron DeSantis, at age 44, is in his prime? Because that won’t age (heh) well, when the average age of the people eyeing the Democrat presidential primary has got to be north of 60.

At 56 years old, does Lemon consider himself past his prime, or is that just for women? Does that imply that women are really only desirable for looks and birthin’ babies? Because that’s certainly what Lemon implies with his comment. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a man desiring a woman for her looks and fertility; that’s how nature works. But it seems that the left is now obsessed with only certain parts of being a woman, and while the ability to bear children (and all of the things that come with that, like menstrual periods) is immensely important, there’s so much more to being a woman, and many more contributions women, especially at this point in time, can and do contribute to society.

And not for nothin, but there are plenty of women years younger than Lemon who have eclipsed him professionally, such as Rachel Maddow, and many of the women Lemon might consider his equals at CNN are in their 40s and 50s. Are they past their prime? With their ratings lower than the basement, it’s clear that Lemon’s co-hosts, 30-year-old Kaitlan Collins and 40-year-old Poppy Harlow, aren’t in their prime.

@maddow, as you turn 50 in April, w/a salary multi-eclipsing @donlemon, I look fwd to ur response to his sexist, ageist POV. What say YOU, @HillaryClinton @NicolleDWallace, @morningmika, @HARRISFAULKNER? @PoppyHarlowCNN @kaitlancollins @CNNThisMorning @jenvanlaar @NikkiHaley https://t.co/EsoOYgnvuR

— Daniel Guss (@TheGussReport) February 16, 2023

Hoo boy. Lemon played into so many stereotypes with his remarks, which are clearly his true thoughts. I bet Elijah Schaffer’s crew has an opening for him if CNN ever fires him.