A former television anchor who parted ways with CNN about three years ago now says he’s exploring whether to seek the presidency, though any decision remains years away and hinges on an unconventional set of prerequisites.
Don Lemon, now working as an independent commentator, revealed during a “Can’t Be Censored” podcast interview in mid-July that he’s consulting with political operatives to understand what launching a national campaign would entail. Despite acknowledging he has no background in elected office, he insisted his interest in the 2028 race is genuine.
“So, as we get closer to 2027 or 2028, I’ll see. I’ll decide,” he said, noting that his current responsibilities are substantial.
A Movement Built on Small Contributions
Central to his thinking is an aversion to traditional campaign finance. Lemon stated he wants to pursue the White House “without having to beg for money,” though he recognized such an approach might not align with how presidential politics typically operates.
Rather than relying on large contributions, he envisions grassroots support through modest gifts of $5 or $10 from working Americans facing economic strain. A social media post highlighting the interview characterized this approach as voter-driven rather than dependent on fundraising tedium, accumulating views.
Lemon told the podcast he thinks he could perform the job of president exceptionally well. He said supporters have urged him to enter the race, and he’s laid out several requirements that must be met before committing. No announcement will come before next year, he stressed, framing his current outreach as exploratory.
Turbulent Departure and Recent Legal Trouble
The broadcaster’s career trajectory has been anything but smooth. After joining CNN in 2006 and becoming a prominent on-air presence, Lemon was terminated in 2023 following an on-air comment suggesting then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was past her “prime.” A Variety report also alleged a long history of misogyny toward female colleagues.
His post-network career has included its own controversies. Lemon was arrested in January on federal civil rights charges after filming video at a Minnesota church demonstration involving a pastor who works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident illustrated his shift from traditional journalism into direct engagement with polarizing national issues.
Other Broadcasters Testing the Waters
He’s not alone among media figures whose names have entered 2028 speculation. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, who had once said he would consider running only if he thought he could win, announced in March that he would not enter the race, insisting he had no wish to become a politician. Former “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert remarked in December that he grasps why some want him to run but stressed he “absolutely” should not.
This pattern suggests a segment of the electorate attracted to household names over traditional political résumés. Whether any broadcaster converts speculation into a serious candidacy remains uncertain, as none has moved beyond preliminary comments.
Lemon’s current stance leaves the door ajar without crossing the threshold. He’s portrayed his interest as responsive to encouragement rather than personal ambition, while emphasizing the ultimate choice will be his own.
The scenario he describes faces steep challenges: a novice candidate attempting to capture the presidency while bypassing the fundraising machinery that typically sustains such efforts. He appears cognizant of the obstacles yet maintains he’s “totally serious” about the possibility. Should he proceed, voters will determine whether preliminary conversations evolve into an actual campaign.