FACT CHECK: CNN’s Don Lemon Says Nikki Haley ‘Isn’t in Her Prime’

Verdict: 4 Flaming Clintons

Claim: “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime. I’m sorry. When a woman is considered to be in her prime [is] in her 20s and 30s, and maybe 40s.”

Who said it?: Don Lemon, the CNN cohost who was recently fired, in a bizarre, ill-advised interview diatribe On his morning show, which is not well-rated. Haley’s Wednesday comments in a Speech Announcement of her candidacy to be president “America is not past our prime,” The former governor of South Carolina turned 51 last month. “It’s just that our politicians are past theirs.”

Context: In November, President Joe Biden was 80 years old. It is widely believed that he will run for reelection. Biden, the first American president to be octogenarian, would have been 86 at the end of his second term.

AnalysisLemon’s remarks are filled with projection and self-loathing. Unfortunately, this casual misogyny reflects the condescending tone in which mainstream journalists discuss female lawmakers who aren’t Democrats. They are also plain wrong. (Update: Lemon finally admits as much in an a Statement Of “regret.”)

Margaret Thatcher was 53 when she was elected prime minister of the United Kingdom. She is, without doubt, the most successful and understatedly beautiful female politician in modern times. She defeated Argentina and the Soviet Union as well as the belligerent trade unionists standing in her way of economic advancement.

A Washington Free Beacon Analysis has shown that all women are intelligent, talented, beautiful and deserving of respect. Baroness Thatcher was not the only example of a woman in her 50s who is still in her prime and likely will remain so for the rest of life.

Sofia Vergara, 50

Padma Lakshmi, 52

Jennifer Lopez, 53

Halle Berry, 56

Salma Hayek, 56

Elizabeth Hurley, 57

Helen Mirren, 77 

Nancy Pelosi,82

VerdictWe give this claim 4 Flaming Clintons.