Don Lemon Drops Out of Moderating NYC Event Amid Backlash
Don Lemon Steps Down As Host For NYC Event ... Amid Misogyny Backlash
Don Lemon seems to be trying to push himself out of the limelight amid all the anger pointed his way ... because TMZ has learned he's backed out of an upcoming event he was set to moderate.
Don was scheduled to host an event in NYC Tuesday, all about race and real estate in honor of Black History Month.
TMZ has learned Don stepped away from the gig ... making the decision not long after facing serious backlash for last week's misogynistic comments about Nikki Haley.
We're told Don was worried about his current news coverage overtaking the event, and our sources tell us event coordinators at Douglas Elliman agreed ... so he bowed out.
We've learned he's been replaced by real estate broker John Gomes, who works for Elliman -- the event will go on as scheduled.
As you know, Don was dragged after categorizing a woman's "prime" based on her age in regards to Nikki -- not only being met with anger online, but echoed by cohost Poppy Harlow.
He's since apologized for the comment, but still was absent on Monday morning's "CNN This Morning" ... and him being MIA was only addressed in a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of way.