Don Lemon's Presidential Ambitions Met with Skepticism by Former CNN Colleagues

Don Lemon, the former CNN host and podcaster, has stated there is a significant chance he will run for president, claiming a "65-70%" likelihood of launching a White House bid. However, his former colleagues at CNN express considerable skepticism about his political aspirations.

Lemon, who has no prior political experience, has publicly stated he believes he would be a better president than Donald Trump and has spoken about his appeal to voters. His announcement has been met with dismissive remarks from some current CNN staffers. One staffer quipped to Fox News Digital, "Doesn’t someone, according to Don Lemon, have to be in their ‘prime’ to run for president? That would certainly rule Don out."

This comment references a controversial remark Lemon made in 2023 about then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, suggesting she was past her prime at age 51. The remark drew widespread criticism and led to an apology from Lemon, who is now 60.

Another CNN staffer expressed a more pragmatic, albeit still doubtful, view: "It would be fun if he ran. Little bit less boring than the standard 18-people on-stage process that we’re about to watch unfold."

This individual added, "Although, I doubt he actually does it." They also suggested that Lemon might see a presidential run as a way to launch into another political office, noting that "political office is probably appealing to him."

Lemon was fired from CNN in 2023 by then-CEO Chris Licht after a tenure marked by on-air arguments and the controversy surrounding his comments about Nikki Haley. Since his departure, he has launched his own media company and has been vocal in his criticism of former President Donald Trump.

He recently suggested on the "Can’t be Censored" podcast that he would like to run a presidential campaign without having to solicit donations, ideally a "voter-citizen-driven campaign." "Maybe at some point I might have to take a donation. I would rather not do that," Lemon stated.

Despite the skepticism, one former colleague acknowledged that Lemon has maintained relevance since leaving CNN. "The Dems have the most open nomination process in 30+ years, I think you gotta take it seriously," the second staffer told Fox News Digital. "I’m not saying he is serious, but I am saying he’s said it enough that I can’t dismiss it."

Lemon's public profile was also impacted earlier this year when he was charged with a felony for livestreaming a protest at a Minnesota church. He maintained he was acting as a journalist and not participating in the protest itself.