Former CNN host Don Lemon has publicly considered running for president, stating he believes he could govern better than President Donald Trump. During an appearance on the Pod Save America podcast, Lemon acknowledged that while he has no immediate plans to enter politics, he has thought about the possibility. He emphasized that he would need to switch his party affiliation from independent to Democrat if he were to run.
Core Facts
Lemon stated, 'Do I ever think about it? Yes. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the opportunity presented itself.' He added, 'I think I could be president of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.' He also noted that he would have to change his party affiliation to Democrat to run for office.
Deeper Context
Lemon's comments come amid a broader trend of media figures exploring political careers, including ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and former Fox News host Steve Hilton. His remarks also reflect the ongoing polarization surrounding Trump's presidency, with critics frequently questioning his leadership and supporters defending his record.
Lemon acknowledged that many people would dismiss the idea of him running for president but argued that it is not impossible. He compared his potential candidacy to Barack Obama's unlikely path to the presidency, stating, '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?' He also mentioned that he would wait for a sign from 'the people' before making a decision.
Lemon's comments have drawn attention due to his long-running and often contentious relationship with Trump while at CNN. He has previously criticized Trump's leadership and policies, which could influence public perception of a potential candidacy.