Don Lemon back on 'CNN This Morning' following controversy: What he said about Nikki Haley

Don Lemon returned to "CNN This Morning" Wednesday after saying former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley isn't "in her prime."  

The TV host has not appeared on the show since Thursday, when he discussed Haley's presidential campaign announcement and her call for "mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old."

Lemon, 56, told co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins that Haley's "talk about age" makes him uncomfortable and said her comments were the "wrong road" to go down, adding that Haley "is not in her prime."

His words have sparked intense discussion on social media. We explain the controversy:

When will Don Lemon return to CNN?

Lemon returned to work Wednesday, but made no mention of the controversy and stuck to the news with stories like President Joe Biden’s trip to Ukraine, the Ohio train derailment and winter weather.

He received formal training for his comments, network CEO Chris Licht said in an email to employees Monday night.

"I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation," Licht wrote in a memo. "He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously," CNN Business reported.

Lemon has since apologized, but he has been widely condemned, including by Licht. According to The New York Times, Licht chastised Lemon during an editorial call Friday, saying his remarks were "upsetting, unacceptable and unfair" and a "huge distraction."

Where has Don Lemon been?

Lemon was not on air Friday for a previously planned "day off," Collins noted. Cornish sat in his place. Harlow appeared live from Salt Lake City, Utah, ahead of the NBA All-Star game.

Lemon was also absent from Monday's episode of "This Morning" for another day off, a person familiar with the situation, but not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed to USA TODAY Sunday. Sara Sidner, a senior national correspondent on CNN, filled in for Lemon.

What did Don Lemon say about Nikki Haley?

Haley's speech Wednesday called for "mental competency tests" for politicians more than 75 years old. President Joe Biden is 80 while another GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is 76.

Lemon responded on the show Thursday. "She says people, politicians are not in their prime," he said. "Nikki Haley is not in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe her 40s."

His co-host Harlow asked him to clarify what he meant by "prime" and if he was referring to "prime for childbearing" or "prime for being president."

Lemon responded: "If you Google, 'when is a woman in her prime,' it'll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. ... I'm not saying I agree with that so I think she has to be careful about saying that (politicians aren't in their prime)."

What did colleagues say about Lemon's comments?

Lemon brought up the subject again an hour later, when commentator Audie Cornish joined the discussion. Like Harlow implied earlier, Cornish said the idea of "prime" that Lemon was referring to was about reproductive years, and didn’t concern mental health and aging.

"She’s in her prime for running for office," Cornish said of Haley. "Political prime is what we’re talking about."

Did Don Lemon apologize?

Thursday afternoon, Lemon apologized for his on-air comments.

"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," Lemon wrote. "A woman’s age doesn't define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day."

He apologized again on Wednesday before going back on air.

"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," he tweeted.

How did Nikki Haley respond?

Haley shared the clip from CNN and tweeted: "Liberals can't stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job. BTW it's always the liberals who are the most sexist."

She also responded to Lemon's apology.

"To be clear, I am NOT calling for competency tests for Sexist middle-aged CNN anchors; only for people who make our laws and are 75+," Haley wrote.

More Don Lemon and Nikki Haley

• Don Lemon back on air: TV host apologizes again before returning to CNN after Nikki Haley comments

• Reaction to Don Lemon: Patricia Heaton claps back on Don Lemon's comments about women over 50

• Nikki Haley not 'in her prime'? Don Lemon's comments spotlight a political reality for women candidates

• Presidential bid: Republican Nikki Haley calls for 'a new generation' – preferably her

• Don Lemon schedule change: Anchor joins CNN's new morning show with Poppy Harlow, Kaitlan Collins

Contributing:The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don Lemon returns to CNN after Nikki Haley remarks: We explain