As the 2028 election cycle begins to take shape, Don Lemon is the latest name to enter the conversation.
The former CNN anchor recently suggested that a run for the White House is not out of the question, noting that he believes his leadership could surpass that of Donald Trump. While Lemon isn’t officially campaigning yet, he admitted that he has thought about the possibility.
During an appearance on the Pod Save America podcast, he noted that “it could happen” if the circumstances were right, though he expressed hesitation about the current party system.
“I think I could be president of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump. As an independent though, there would be a hard time for me to run for anything. Because the way the system is set up I’d have to choose a side. And so, I probably would have to become a Democrat. Am I at that point now? No,” noted Lemon. “I don’t have the aspiration to become president, but I do think I could run this country better than Donald Trump.”
Lemon also used the platform to highlight the double standards he sees within the political arena. He argued that the “rules are different” for him compared to white male candidates, pointing to the rhetoric used by others that hasn’t resulted in the same level of professional or social pushback. “I’ve never said that I was going to grab anybody by the p*ssy. I’ve never said that a woman had blood coming out of her wherever. But also, I’m not a white man,” he explained. “And the rules are different for me. Just like the rules, I believe sadly, are different for women. They’re different for Hillary Clinton, for Nikki Haley… they’re different for Kamala Harris. And white men get away with way more than women, or Black people or any minority.”
Despite these obstacles, the veteran journalist remains open to a future in public service. “Do I ever think about it? Yes. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the right opportunity presented itself,” Lemon added.
These comments come during a turbulent time for Lemon, who recently pleaded not guilty to federal charges following his January indictment. The charges stemmed from his presence at an anti-ICE demonstration at a Minneapolis church, which Lemon maintains he was attending strictly in a journalistic capacity.
NEW: Don Lemon suggests he will run for president if the opportunity presents itself.
“I think I could be President of United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.”
“Why can’t I think about running for office?”pic.twitter.com/Ah0fOsSp9W
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 1, 2026
