(PM.) Former CNN golden boy Don Lemon remains at the center of controversy after he made comments last week that women past 40 are “past their prime,” as female staffers at the network have now threatened to quit if Lemon retains his job.
Rumors began that Lemon may be the latest in a series of firings and changes at the network following his comments and the subsequent backlash. It was announced on Tuesday that the embattled broadcaster would return to work on Wednesday and will receive “formal training,” according to an email to staff from network CEO Chris Licht.
“I sat down with Don and had a frank and meaningful conversation,” Licht wrote in the letter obtained by The Associated Press. “He has agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. We take this situation very seriously.”
This news did not sit right with some at the company, however, as the Daily Mail reports that several women have threatened to leave if Lemon returns to his position.
“People are hurt by his actions and are not going to let this go. It is like every woman over 50 in America has taken this as a personal insult. The female staffers at CNN definitely have. He needs to make his vacation a permanent one.”
Another insider told the paper, “the women of CNN are angry. He’s made it impossible to do their jobs. He’s an embarrassment to the network and needs to go.”
A CNN spokesperson told the Mail that it “is patently false to say Don is being pushed to resign.” Those on the inside, however, say that the network has been “literally, flooded like a tidal wave with extremely angry and offended loyal viewers.”
