Former CNN anchor and media figure After saying he “could run this country a lot better” than President Donald Trump, Don Lemon has started a new political firestorm by opening the door to a possible presidential bid in 2028. There is a lot of talk about Lemon’s role in U.S. politics and how he is becoming a more important independent political voice.
Lemon said on the podcast Pod Save America that he has thought about running for president and would not automatically rule out the idea if “the right opportunity presented itself.” He made it clear that he doesn’t really want to be president right now, but he said that with the current leadership, more people should feel free to ask, “Why can’t I run the country?”
Lemon said he could run the United States “a lot better” than Trump, making himself a possible alternative to the current president. He used Barack Obama as an example to show that candidates who are different can win if they connect with voters and challenge the status quo. Lemon, who is black, gay, and outspoken about racial and media freedom issues, said that his identity would make his path to the White House different but not impossible.
Lemon’s entry into the political conversation comes at a time when there are a lot of headlines about legal issues and activists, such as an indictment related to his role in an anti-ICE protest at a church in Minneapolis. He has said that he was covering the event as a journalist and not taking part in the protest. He has framed his activism around press freedom and holding those in power accountable. These events could change how voters and party leaders see his chances of becoming president in the future.
Lemon would probably try to win over voters who are fed up with the way things are done in politics and want a media-savvy, outspoken candidate who is also culturally aware. His name recognition, TV-era power, and sharp criticism of Trump’s leadership could help him find a place in the Democratic primary or even a progressive third-party lane. Lemon says he isn’t actively planning a run right now, but he won’t rule it out.
