Former CNN anchor Don Lemon garnered significant attention on Sunday by openly discussing the possibility of launching a presidential campaign, stating his belief that he could govern the United States more effectively than current President Donald Trump. Speaking on the podcast "Pod Save America," Lemon clarified that while no immediate campaign is underway, the prospect remains a consideration should the right circumstances arise.
"Do I ever think about it? Yes. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the opportunity presented itself, the right opportunity presented itself," Lemon stated during the interview. He then directly addressed his potential capability to lead the nation, asserting, "Look, if I wanted to, I know people are going to think I’m crazy. This is going to be the headline, and people are going to laugh about it. I think I could be president of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump."
Lemon, who spent 17 years at CNN, including hosting "Don Lemon Tonight" from 2014 to 2022 and co-hosting "CNN This Morning" before his departure in April 2023, also delved into the unique challenges minority candidates often face in the American political landscape. He highlighted that white male candidates frequently "get away with" more scrutiny than women or minority candidates. Furthermore, he acknowledged that his current independent voter registration could pose an obstacle within the entrenched two-party system, noting, "I probably would have to become a Democrat."
Drawing a parallel, Lemon referenced President Barack Obama's unexpected rise to the presidency as an example of overcoming expectations. "Did anybody think Barack Obama, as he says, this guy with a funny name is from a mixed background, did anybody ever think that he would become president, that he had that aspiration?" he questioned, reiterating, "I don’t have an aspiration to become president, but I do think that I could run this country a lot better than Donald Trump."
Beyond traditional political experience, Lemon contended that his extensive background in media has equipped him with valuable leadership and problem-solving skills. According to The Daily Caller, he remarked, "You know what else I think that I could run better than most people? … I could come in and fix the bulk of their problems and lickety split in no time flat." His current platform, "The Don Lemon Show" on YouTube, boasts over 1.25 million subscribers, as highlighted by TV Insider, showcasing his continued presence in public discourse.
Lemon's public profile has also included legal challenges. In January, he was charged with conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and violating the FACE Act following his livestreaming of anti-ICE demonstrators at St. Paul’s Cities Church in Minnesota. He pleaded not guilty to these charges, maintaining that his actions constituted legitimate journalism.
Despite these ongoing complexities, Lemon framed any potential future political involvement through the lens of faith and public mandate. According to Trending Politics, he explained, "As a person of faith, I’d have to first consult with my creator about that. If she (my creator) gives me a sign, and so do the people, then it’s game on. Somebody has to fix all of the s— Donald Trump f—ed up."
He reiterated that he has no immediate plans to enter a presidential race but firmly left the door open for future consideration, attributing his openness to his upbringing. "As a child, my parents taught me I could be and do anything I wanted, and I believed them," Lemon concluded. His remarks weave together threads of political ambition, media expertise, personal faith, and a critical assessment of the current political leadership, fueling speculation about his potential trajectory in public life. For the foreseeable future, Lemon remains a notable figure navigating the intersections of media commentary, legal scrutiny, and the ever-present speculation surrounding a possible shift to active politics.
