Don Lemon considers White House bid amid colleague scepticism

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 23:03 · Archive

Former CNN host Don Lemon says there is a 65 to 70 per cent chance he will run for president.

Former CNN host Don Lemon, aged 60, says there is a 65 to 70 per cent chance he will launch a White House bid. Lemon, who has no political experience, was fired by CNN in 2023 and now hosts his own show. He has said he would make a better president than Donald Trump and talked up his appeal to voters.

Lemon's former colleagues at CNN reacted with scepticism and amusement. One staffer sardonically noted that by Lemon's own standard—that candidates must be in their 'prime'—he would not qualify. This referenced a 2023 incident in which Lemon suggested Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was past her 'prime' at age 51. Haley was then 45 years younger than Lemon is now. Lemon later apologized for those comments.

Another former CNN staffer expressed amusement at the prospect. 'It would be fun if he ran,' they said, calling it 'less boring than the standard 18-people on-stage process'. However, they doubted he would actually run. Earlier this year, Lemon faced a felony indictment for livestreaming a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a Minnesota church, though he has insisted he was working as a journalist.

How it is being reported

• Don Lemon’s former CNN colleagues skeptical about his possible presidential runFormer CNN host Don Lemon, 60, says there is a 65-70% chance he will run for president, sparking criticism and skepticism from his former colleagues.New York Post · 13 Oct, 22:46
• Don Lemon's presidential ambitions met with skepticism, amusement from his former CNN colleaguesDon Lemon says there's a 65 to 70% chance he'll launch a White House bid, and CNN staffers have strong reactions to his presidential ambitions.Fox News · 13 Oct, 17:30

In this story: Don Lemon · CNN · Donald Trump · Nikki Haley · Minnesota

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