Don Lemon Says He Is ‘Totally Serious’ About Possible Presidential Run

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon says he is seriously considering a run for the White House, claiming that people have repeatedly encouraged him to enter the presidential race.

Since leaving CNN in April 2023, Lemon has attempted to reinvent himself as an independent media personality. His YouTube program, “The Don Lemon Show,” has attracted 1.38 million subscribers and regularly features commentary on race, public policy, and President Donald Trump.

The 60-year-old broadcaster has also written several books, including his 2024 release, “I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.”

During a recent appearance on the “Can’t Be Censored” podcast, hosted by Travis Dhanraj and Karman Wong, Lemon suggested that his ambitions may now extend beyond political commentary.

“No, but people keep asking me if I’m running for president and I don’t know, I might, I’m serious. I don’t know, I might because people keep asking me to do it.”

Rather than dismissing the idea, Lemon proceeded to evaluate the emerging field of potential candidates.

“Some of them are impressive, many of them, most of them are not.”

Lemon then pointed to Trump’s lack of elected experience before his first term as evidence that a traditional political résumé is not necessarily required to win the presidency.

“I actually think I would be a really good president of the United States.”

When Dhanraj asked whether he genuinely meant what he was saying, Lemon responded that he was “totally serious.”

The former CNN host then returned to a familiar theme: criticizing President Trump. Lemon claimed the president’s policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy — “his rich friends” — while acknowledging that he has already “dabbled” with the idea of launching a campaign.

He also joked that he would likely need to control his “potty mouth” before seeking the nation’s highest office.

“Do I want to ruin my life by having everything exposed and people even into my business more? I don’t know, I mean how much more intrusive and invasive can it be?”

Lemon indicated that he would make a final decision as the next presidential election approaches.

“As we get closer to 2027 or 2028, I’ll see. I’ll decide,” he told the hosts, suggesting that his transition from traditional reporting to political activism may be pushing him toward a candidacy.

Lemon is correct that political outsiders can occasionally capture the public’s attention and win major elections. President Trump proved that a candidate does not need decades inside Washington to build a successful national movement.

But Trump entered politics with a clear message centered on secure borders, economic nationalism, American strength, and challenging a political establishment that had repeatedly failed working families.

So far, Lemon has offered nothing comparable.

Disliking Trump is not a governing philosophy. Personal celebrity is not a policy agenda. And repeated appeals to identity politics are unlikely to revive a Democratic Party that continues to struggle with voters concerned about inflation, public safety, border security, and the country’s cultural direction.

A serious presidential candidate must explain how he would protect constitutional liberties, strengthen the economy, secure the nation, and improve the lives of ordinary Americans.

Lemon’s case, at least for now, appears to consist primarily of personal confidence, encouragement from unnamed supporters, and opposition to President Trump.

That may be enough to generate podcast headlines.

It is nowhere near enough to build a winning presidential campaign.