A former CNN anchor has sparked widespread political chatter after revealing he’s weighing a potential White House bid in 2028, declaring he could outperform President Trump in the nation’s highest office.
Don Lemon, 60, made the unexpected revelation during a podcast interview that went live on April 1, 2026. While stopping short of a formal campaign launch, the veteran broadcaster said he’s giving serious thought to entering the race and hasn’t closed the door on seeking the presidency.
Obama Comparison Fuels Presidential Vision
When questioned about why he sees himself as a viable candidate, Lemon drew a parallel to Barack Obama’s unlikely journey from the Senate to the White House.
“Why can’t I think about being president of the United States when I look at what we have? 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?” Lemon said.
He noted that seeking the presidency hasn’t been a lifelong dream for him, but said today’s political landscape has prompted him to seriously weigh the possibility.
Independent Willing To Switch Parties
Though currently registered as an independent, Lemon said he would join the Democratic Party to compete for its nomination if he decides to run. That revelation could position him among what’s shaping up to be a crowded Democratic primary as the party searches for a candidate capable of appealing to progressives, moderates and independent voters alike. He anticipated critics would brand him “crazy” and that the media would seize on his comments. Nevertheless, he stood firm in his belief that he could do a better job than the president. He also recognized that minority candidates face heightened scrutiny, a factor he said gives him pause but hasn’t ruled out making the run.
From CNN Star To YouTube Platform
Lemon spent nearly two decades at CNN, joining the network in 2006 as a correspondent and eventually becoming one of its most prominent on-air personalities. From 2014 to 2022, he anchored Don Lemon Tonight before moving to CNN This Morning, where he worked alongside co-hosts Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.
His tenure ended abruptly in April 2023 when the network terminated him amid allegations of misogyny, a controversy he has worked to put behind him in the years since. He now hosts The Don Lemon Show on YouTube, where he has built an audience of more than 1.25 million subscribers.
Legal Battles Could Complicate Campaign
Any presidential ambitions would unfold against the backdrop of ongoing federal charges. Lemon faces prosecution related to his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. He entered a not guilty plea in February and has insisted he attended solely as a freelance journalist documenting the demonstration rather than as a participant.
The prosecution has boosted his standing among some progressive voters who see the charges as politically driven, though it would give opponents ready ammunition should he launch a formal campaign.
Online response to his presidential musings broke down largely along partisan lines. One critic claimed Lemon “wouldn’t even garner one percent in the primaries.” Others said they’d be open to supporting him depending on the circumstances, while some demanded he outline specific problems he intends to address and how. A recurring sentiment among Democrats was a desire for any candidate willing to present a substantive policy platform.
Lemon showed no sign of backing away when his remarks were challenged at the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Summit in London on May 6, where journalist Kara Swisher played his viral clip for a live audience. Rather than walk it back, Lemon doubled down. “People stop me all the time and ask me, ‘Would you consider running for office?'” he said. “I actually do think I can run this country better than Donald Trump.”
Lemon maintains he hasn’t reached “that point” of formally declaring a candidacy. But by publicly entertaining the idea on a progressive podcast with a broad reach, he’s already planted himself in the 2028 discussion. Whether the electorate is prepared to take that leap with him remains an open question.