Infamous Ex-CNN Host Floats Run For President

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon says he’s thought about running for president — and believes he could do a better job than Donald Trump.

“Do I ever think about it? Yes,” Lemon said on “Pod Save America” Sunday. “Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the opportunity presented itself, the right opportunity presented itself. Look, if I wanted to, I know people are going to think I’m crazy. This is going to be the headline, and people are going to laugh about it. I think I could be President of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.”

Lemon said he has no current plans to run, warning a campaign could “ruin” his life. He also argued that White male candidates “get away with” more than women or minorities and said he would likely need to switch from independent to Democrat.

Still, he pushed back on the idea that a run is out of the question.

“Am I at that point now? No. And I know people are going to say Don Lemon is crazy. But yeah, that’s…look, why can’t I think about running for office? Why can’t I think about being President of the United States when look at what we have?” Lemon said.

He pointed to Barack Obama as an example of an unlikely candidate breaking through.

“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? I don’t have an aspiration to become president, but I do think that I could run this country a lot better than Donald Trump.”

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

In comments to Fox News Digital, Lemon said any decision would depend on faith and public support.

“As a child, my parents taught me I could be and do anything I wanted, and I believed them. As a person of faith, I’d have to first consult with my creator about that. If she (my creator) gives me a sign, and so do the people, then it’s game on. Somebody has to fix all of the s— Donald Trump f—ed up,” Lemon said.

He also argued he could step in and fix a struggling newsroom.

“I’ve been in the game for so long, and I’m not interested in being, you know, the anchor out front. I could come in and fix the bulk of their problems and lickety-split in no time flat,” Lemon said.

Lemon has also drawn attention for a January incident at St. Paul’s Cities Church, where he livestreamed agitators who stormed the building over claims its pastor worked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He was later charged with conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and violating the FACE Act. Lemon has pleaded not guilty following his arraignment last month.

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