Former CNN host Don Lemon is claiming that billionaire Elon Musk has canceled his deal on X because the tech tycoon got angry during an interview that hasn’t aired yet.
“Elon Musk is mad at me, and I just put out a statement about what happened between him, me and the interview that he is apparently so upset about,” Lemon asserted in a video he posted ironically on X.
“Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform. He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday,” he said in his statement released on Wednesday.
Musk was set to be Lemon’s first guest on his new streaming show, according to Fox News.
Elon Musk canceled #TheDonLemonShow Watch on YouTube and listen everywhere on Monday March 18. pic.twitter.com/AAhnvcY0ny — Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
+ Statement from Don Lemon: pic.twitter.com/vvt4HYny54 — Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) March 13, 2024
First guest. @elonmusk like you’ve never seen him before. You won’t want to miss this. #TheDonLemonShowpic.twitter.com/hEBGBAoqdp — Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 12, 2024
Lemon is hyping being canceled by Musk and is lamely using it to promote his show on March 18.
“Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, saying I would have his ‘full support,’ and that his ‘digital town square is for all.’ He and his team pursued the deal in numerous conversations and made significant commitments about the support X would provide for the show. I made the decision to work with them in a unique partnership that I believed would ultimately assure that my work would be available to most people, in the largest possible venue. I took Elon and his management’s team’s word that they, for the first time, were interested in working directly with new and diverse voices,” he asserted.
“There were no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to, and my questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election. We had a good conversation. Clearly he felt differently,” Lemon remarked. “His commitment to a global town square where all questions can be asked and all ideas can be shared seems not to include questions of him from people like me.”
You canceled my contract after our interview. I don’t think you believe in free speech. https://t.co/rD6BJIzStZ — Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
Lemon announced that his show will air on YouTube and X.
“This will be just the first of many episodes of ‘The Don Lemon Show.’ While Elon goes back on his word, I will be doubling down on my commitment to free speech and I cannot wait to get started,” Lemon grandstanded.
When Fox News reached out to X, a spokesperson confirmed that Lemon’s deal was axed.
“X is a platform that champions free speech, and we’re proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives. The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to scale their work and connect with new communities. However, like any enterprise, we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show,” the X spokesperson replied to Fox News.
X is a platform that champions free speech, and we’re proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives. The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to scale their work… — Business (@XBusiness) March 13, 2024
Musk also addressed his issues with the interview on X, slamming Lemon as a sock puppet for Jeff Zucker.
“His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media,’ which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying. And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity. All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else,” Musk commented.
Elon explains why Don Lemon’s show got canceled. “CNN, but on social media” does not work. It’s more of the same old garbage. https://t.co/ichG6FYjwv — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 13, 2024
Tech journalist Kara Swisher reported that Musk sent a “terse text” to Lemon’s reps informing them “Contract terminated.”
“I had told Don that this is exactly what would occur… despite promises by Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino — who extravagantly touted this deal at CES to advertisers — that this time was different,” she bragged on X.
SCOOP: As I told him would happen, @donlemon, the owner of this platform Elon Musk sent a terse text to his reps: “Contract terminated” after an interview Lemon did with Musk last Friday that was not to the adult toddler’s liking, including questions about his ketamine use. — Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) March 13, 2024
Lemon is now demanding payment.
A representative for the former CNN talking head told Variety, “Don has a deal with X and he expects to be paid for it, If we have to go to court, we will.”