Don Lemon is on thin ice at CNN. He is welcome back for now, but he only needs one more strike to be fired for good -- and he knows it.
Lemon met with network executives earlier this week and was told they would no longer stand for his antics and that this was his final warning, sources with direct knowledge of the situation told TMZ.
Lemon was told that the next time he insults his cohosts or makes a toxic environment (on or off-air), it would be his last time with the network.
Lemon was taken off CNN's morning show last Thursday following his on-air comments about presidential candidate Nikki Haley, when he said the 51-year-old Republican was not "in her prime."
"If you Google 'When is a woman in her prime,' it will say 20s, 30s and 40s," Lemon, 56, said. "Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just saying what the facts are. Google it!"
Lemon elaborated that Haley should be careful about saying that politicians should be in their prime when they serve "because she wouldn't be in her prime, according to Google or whatever it is."
Lemon quickly addressed the situation on Twitter, saying he regretted his comments but offered no apology to Haley.
"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," he said.
In an email to CNN employees Monday night, network CEO Chris Licht said Lemon would undergo "formal training," the Los Angeles Times reported. Licht said it was important to him that the network, "balances accountability with fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes."
Lemon returned to the anchor chair on Wednesday morning. He didn't apologize to Haley directly, but he did address the controversy on Twitter ahead of his return.
"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," he said.
Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, is taking the situation in stride -- and selling merchandise poking fun at Lemon.
In a social media post Haley wrote, "For all of you who took issue with the haters saying that we are past our prime, this one's for you."
The post featured a link to contribute to her campaign and order a koozie reading "Past my prime?" and "Hold my beer."
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