In a recent interview, former CNN host Don Lemon shared some surprising insights from his conversations with voters in deep-blue cities like Atlantic City, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
While speaking with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Lemon revealed that many voters, including people of color and women, are expressing support for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election—primarily due to economic concerns.
Lemon described the experience as “eye-opening,” noting that many of these voters believe Trump was better for the economy than President Biden. He recounted how some voters, particularly Black men, credited Trump for the stimulus checks they received during his presidency.
Lemon pointed out that these voters seemed to forget or were unaware that the current administration also provided stimulus checks, albeit without Trump’s signature on them. He found himself repeatedly reminding voters that the checks were a result of efforts by a Democratic Congress, not just Trump.
Don Lemon delivers bad news to Jen Psaki regarding the Blue Wall.pic.twitter.com/dT8YGSQ22B
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 27, 2024
When it came to Vice President Kamala Harris, Lemon observed that opinions varied across different battleground states. He mentioned that many voters seemed unfamiliar with her, suggesting that Harris might need to reintroduce herself to the public. Despite the varied views on Harris, Lemon emphasized that a significant number of voters believe Trump is better for the economy and has supported their communities.
Lemon also touched on the paradox many voters face: even though the economy might be improving by various metrics, inflation and rising prices are what people feel most acutely. He noted that voters tend to “romanticize the past” and vote based on their immediate financial situations, which can lead to a stronger preference for Trump, despite Lemon’s belief that the information voters are relying on is inaccurate.
As the race heats up, recent survey data shows Harris with a slim lead over Trump nationally, but the support among Black voters has been a point of focus. Harris has regained some of the enthusiasm among Black voters in battleground states, which had waned when Biden was at the top of the ticket.
In Michigan and Pennsylvania, Harris now leads Trump significantly among Black voters, according to a Suffolk University/USA Today survey.
