Former CNN anchor Don Lemon offered an unexpected assessment of President Donald Trump’s record, stating that President Trump has delivered on “pretty much every promise” he made on policy. Lemon’s remarks came during an appearance on former CNN personality W. Kamau Bell’s “Who’s With Me?” podcast on Wednesday. The discussion initially centered on how seriously Americans should consider President Trump’s repeated comments about potentially seeking another term in the White House.
"Pretty much every promise that he has made – pretty much, like, policy-wise – he has delivered." Don Lemon, Former CNN Anchor
Lemon emphasized the importance of taking any sitting president’s statements seriously. “I think you always take the person who is the president of the United States seriously,” Lemon asserted during the podcast. He then made the admission that quickly garnered significant attention across various media platforms. “Pretty much every promise that he has made – pretty much, like, policy-wise – he has delivered,” Lemon said, offering his personal assessment of the President’s tenure.
He pointed to several key policy areas where he believes President Trump fulfilled his campaign pledges. Lemon specifically mentioned immigration, taxes, and healthcare as examples of policies campaigned on and subsequently implemented. “Like he said, ‘Look what I’m gonna do with immigration, I’m gonna do this with taxes, I’m gonna do this with healthcare,’ and he did all of them,” Lemon recounted, summarizing his view of President Trump’s policy achievements. This statement represents Lemon’s own viewpoint rather than an independent, comprehensive verification of every campaign promise.
Despite this acknowledgment of policy delivery, Lemon also identified what he perceives as President Trump’s most significant area of unfinished business: the economy. “The only thing that he hasn’t been able to deliver on is pretty much the economy,” Lemon stated. Bell then expanded on this point, referencing promises related to lower gas prices and the cessation of foreign wars. Lemon further elaborated on several economic promises he believes have not materialized, including lower prices for goods, the possibility of DOGE-related payments, and the distribution of tariff rebate or refund checks. “None of those things have come to fruition and those are the things that people want,” Lemon observed, jokingly asking Bell if he had received any such checks.
The podcast conversation also delved into President Trump’s occasional allusions to a possible 2028 presidential campaign. President Trump has publicly stated he would “love to run” again, while also acknowledging that “the law is very strong” regarding another campaign. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that no person may be elected president more than twice. President Trump has already been elected twice, in 2016 and 2024, which under the current interpretation of the amendment, would present a constitutional barrier to another successful election bid. Nevertheless, Lemon conveyed that he takes President Trump’s comments about another potential term seriously. “Yeah, I take it seriously,” Lemon affirmed.
Lemon also utilized the platform to voice criticism regarding President Trump’s relationship with the Supreme Court, suggesting that the President might attempt to find a mechanism to remain in power beyond constitutional limits. Lemon claimed President Trump has a Supreme Court “basically under his thumb,” a characterization reflecting Lemon’s personal opinion rather than an established judicial description. Recent reports, including those from Trending Politics, have noted instances where President Trump publicly criticized Supreme Court justices he appointed after they delivered rulings adverse to his administration.
Don Lemon had a prominent career at CNN, spanning 17 years, before his departure from the network in April 2023. Following his exit, he transitioned into independent media, currently hosting “The Don Lemon Show” on various digital platforms. While remaining an outspoken critic of President Trump on several fronts, Lemon’s recent remarks are notable for their acknowledgment of what he views as substantial follow-through on the President’s core policy agenda. This assessment was paired with continued criticism concerning economic matters, the judiciary, and the prospect of another presidential campaign, making his central admission regarding policy delivery particularly distinctive.
