Don Lemon tweets apology, returns to CNN without addressing 'prime' comments on air

CNN's Don Lemon, who has faced criticism for comments he made on air last week, issued an apology on Wednesday but did not discuss the matter when he returned to the air, according to reports.

"I appreciate the opportunity to be back on @CNNThisMorning today. 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," he tweeted on Wednesday before going back on CNN for the first day since making widely-panned comments last week.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who is 51, has called for requiring "mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old."

Lemon said last week that Haley is not in her "prime." He also suggested that Googling when women are in their prime would yield results indicating that this occurs when women are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, though he said that he was not saying he agreed with that idea.

"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," Lemon tweeted last week after making the comments.

"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 responded.

Haley's campaign has started selling koozies that read "PAST MY PRIME?" and "HOLD MY BEER."

CNN reported that CNN Worldwide chairman and CEO Chris Licht had informed employees that Lemon had "agreed to participate in formal training."

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