CNN host Don Lemon, who's already struggling in the ratings and is probably lucky to have a job even at CNN, didn't do himself any favors this week, and the White House took notice. 

Lemon, CNN This Morning co-host, sparked national backlash after his absurdly dumb remark about former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley's age, countering her message of being a fresh, young face for the Republican Party by claiming women her age are "past their prime," Fox News reported.

The failing CNN host reportedly made the lowbrow remark in response to Haley suggesting that politicians over a certain age should be subjected to various cognitive tests to ensure they're fit for duty, which is far from an unreasonable demand.

His remarks even caused internal backlash at CNN, as one could imagine.

Karine Jean-Pierre's response

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre brought up the comment during a recent press conference, clearly unhappy with Lemon's assessment of women her age.

Fox News noted:

Jean-Pierre briefed the White House Press Corp. along with NSC coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby. After Kirby, 60, finished his brief, Jean-Pierre, 48, commented, "Neither of us have hit our prime yet."

The remark was once again addressed by a reporter later in the press conference.

"Does the president have anything to say about this national conversation that was sparked after a claim that was seemingly made in defense of the president that Nikki Haley is not in her prime because women hit their prime in their 20s, 30s and 40s?" the reporter asked.

KJP responded, "You know, I'm not going to comment directly to that. That is something clearly that needs to be addressed by [CNN]."

Perhaps Lemon, given that he's an openly gay man, thought he could get away with making the overtly sexist comment. But he quickly realized he messed up, big time.

What did he say?

Lemon's "past her prime" comment was even more ridiculously given that he was on set with two other women, his co-hosts on the show. They, too, were not thrilled by his careless words.

Don Lemon TRIGGERS female CNN panel into utter meltdown after SHOCKINGLY telling them they’re not in their “prime”🤡

pic.twitter.com/l65C0Lrg3b

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 17, 2023

"This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable. I think it’s the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians are something if not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn't in her prime, sorry. A woman is considered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s," Lemon said.

Yikes. There's no telling what happens to Lemon next. With CNN losing a large chunk of its most well-known host over the past two years, one can see where it would hesitate to get rid of Lemon, but on the other hand, his remarks might have generated enough pressure to give him the boot. Only time will tell.