Don Lemon says up to 70% chance he runs for president: ‘If the people want me’

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon said there is up to a 70% chance he’ll run for president, again fanning the flames of speculation that he’ll contend for the White House in 2028.Lemon expressed confidence in July that he would make a “good president” after the anchor-turned-freelance media pundit gained attention nationwide for covering a prominent protest targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota.During an appearance on Spencer Macnaughton’s Uncloseted podcast this week, Lemon again offered himself up as a prime politician, comparing himself to other candidates running for office who are “great with the people.” Lemon mused he finds that “when I’m out there with [these political candidates], the people are also talking to me in similar ways as they’re talking to them.” He said odds are a 65% or 70% chance he’ll make a bid for the White House at some point, “if the people want me.”“When I’m out there, I’m out there, and I cover the candidates, and I look at what they do, and they’re very good,” he continued. “It makes me wonder my best way of being and operating in this society, whether it is through journalism or if it is through becoming the president of the United States.”“I never say never. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now doing what I’m doing. This is not easy to do every day, but I have to be, I am very aware of the importance of what I’m doing, what it means to the culture and society,” he added.Lemon’s profile rose after Jan. 18, when he was with a group of protesters that interrupted a church service to protest ICE, with the demonstrators targeting one of the pastors at the church who works for ICE. Lemon has said he accompanied the protesters at Cities Church in St. Paul in a freelance reporting role to livestream the episode.The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion. Lemon argued his actions were protected under the First Amendment’s protections for the press and protesters.Lemon was charged with conspiring to interfere with religious rights and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. He has fought the charges, pleading not guilty and seeking to dismiss the case in August.2028 DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS TO MEET FOLLOWING MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO DISCUSS DIRECTION OF PARTY“I will not be silenced. I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon told reporters after appearing in court in January.“In fact,” he added, “there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”