Don Lemon Considers Presidential Run, Former Colleagues Express Skepticism

Former CNN host Don Lemon has stated that he is considering a run for president, estimating a 65-70% chance of launching a White House bid. His announcement has been met with a mix of skepticism and amusement from former colleagues at CNN.

Lemon, who departed CNN in 2023, has become an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump. He recently claimed he would be a better president than Trump and highlighted his potential appeal to voters, despite having no prior political experience. Some former colleagues expressed doubt about the seriousness of his ambitions.

"Doesn’t someone, according to Don Lemon, have to be in their 'prime' to run for president? That would certainly rule Don out," one CNN staffer told Fox News Digital, referencing a controversial comment Lemon made in 2023 about Nikki Haley being past her prime at age 51. Lemon, who is now 60, later apologized for those remarks.

Another former colleague suggested Lemon's potential run could be less about a serious bid and more about maintaining relevance. "Don does very much want to have influence and feel his contributions matter. Would seem other ways make more sense because running is merely raising money, which is f---ing miserable, and you can’t get anywhere," the staffer said. They added that a presidential run might be a way to "launchpad into another office" rather than a direct path to the presidency.

Despite the skepticism, some former colleagues acknowledged the possibility. "It’s the most open nomination process in 30+ years for the Dems, I think you gotta take it seriously," one staffer commented. "I’m not saying he is serious, but I am saying he’s said it enough that I can’t dismiss it."

Lemon's departure from CNN followed a tumultuous period, including a move from his primetime show to a morning program and public disagreements with co-hosts. He has since launched his own media company.

Lemon himself has expressed a desire to run a presidential campaign without the need to solicit donations, stating, "I would like to run it, and I don't know if this is realistic or not, without having to beg for money. I would like it to be a voter-citizen-driven campaign for as much as it can be."

He is not the first former CNN personality to venture into politics; analyst John Avlon ran for Congress in 2024 but was defeated.