Former CNN host Don Lemon says he has considered running for president, calling himself better suited to lead than Donald Trump.
Lemon’s comments add to a growing list of media figures publicly speculating about political office, including ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and former Fox News host Steve Hilton, reflecting the increasingly blurred line betweenHis remarks also come as Trump remains a deeply polarizing figure, with critics frequently questioning his leadership and supporters defending his record.
Lemon’s suggestion that he could govern more effectively than the sitting president is likely to draw attention given his long‑running and often contentious relationship with Trump while at CNN.Speaking with guest host Alex Wagner, Lemon acknowledged that many people would dismiss the idea of him running for president but said he has nonetheless given it thought. “Do I ever think about it? Yes. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the opportunity presented itself, the right opportunity presented itself,” Lemon said. “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.”He added that if he were to run, he would do so as a Democrat and would need to switch his current party affiliation from independent. “Look, why can’t I think about running for office? Why can’t I think about being president of the United States when I look at what we have?” Lemon said. Lemon also pointed to former President Barack Obama’s rise as evidence that unconventional candidates can succeed, arguing that doubts about background or name recognition do not preclude a serious campaign. “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?” Lemon said. “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.”While Lemon made clear that a presidential bid is not imminent, his comments are likely to fuel speculation about whether he could seek office in the future, particularly as high‑profile media figures increasingly test the political waters. Lemon’s remarks also come amid ongoing legal proceedings related to his coverage of an anti‑ICE protest at a Minnesota church. He