Don Lemon on possibility of being first gay President: ‘Better than Trump’
Independent journalist Don Lemon. (Image: Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)
Don Lemon has said he has thought about becoming US president, a prospect that would make him the first out gay person to hold the role.
However he suggested the political system would likely force him to “choose a side” if he ever ran. He made the remarks in a Pod Save America segment while speaking to journalist Alex Wagner.
Lemon said the idea does cross his mind. “Do I ever think about it? Yes. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen if the right opportunity presented itself,” he said.
He added: “I think I could be president of the United States. I could definitely run this country better than Donald Trump.”
Lemon also suggested an independent run would be a steep uphill battle. “As an independent though, there would be a hard time for me to run for anything. Because the way the system is set up I’d have to choose a side,” he said.
He went on to say he would likely need to run as a Democrat, while stressing he is not currently planning a campaign. “And so, I probably would have to become a Democrat. Am I at that point now? No. I don’t have the aspiration to become president, but I do think I could run this country better than Donald Trump,” Lemon said.
‘The rules are different for me’
In the same conversation, Lemon spoke about what he sees as unequal standards in US politics, tying it to race and gender.
“I’m not a white man. And the rules are different for me,” he said, before arguing that “white men get away with way more than women, or Black people or any minority”.
Who is Don Lemon?
Lemon is best known for his years at CNN, where he became a prominent on-air voice during major US political moments. He is out gay and has spoken publicly about his experiences as a Black gay man in US media and public life.
He has also remained a regular presence in political and media debates, including a recent free speech dispute involving Donald Trump.
Lemon also felt the wrath of Nicki Minaj, after she hurled a homophobic slur at him on social media.
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