Don Lemon says Elon Musk is ‘mad’ at him over an interview he conducted with the billionaire tycoon
X owner Elon Musk claimed he canceled his deal with Don Lemon because his approach to his new program is “CNN, but on social media.”
Elon Musk Don Lemon Latest Controversy
Lemon stirred up attention on social media by disclosing that Musk had terminated his contract, alleging that the billionaire tech magnate was displeased with him following their interview on Friday.
However, when questioned about his decision to cut ties with Lemon, Musk implied that Lemon failed to deviate from his CNN-style approach.
“He essentially adopted the CNN model for social media, which isn’t effective, evident from CNN’s declining viewership,” Musk remarked to an X user on Wednesday. “Moreover, instead of embodying the genuine Don Lemon, it felt more like Jeff Zucker speaking through him, lacking authenticity. Nevertheless, Lemon and Zucker are welcome to grow their audience on our platform like everyone else.”
A representative for Lemon issued a legal warning to X, informing Puck News, “Don has a contractual agreement with X and anticipates compensation for it. We’re prepared to take legal action if necessary.”
In January, X had announced a partnership with Lemon and other talents to create content on the platform.
However, Lemon’s association with X came to an abrupt end on Wednesday, following his interview with Musk on Friday as the inaugural guest on “The Don Lemon Show,” slated to premiere the following week.
“Elon Musk has terminated the partnership I had with X, which they promoted as part of their pledge to amplify diverse voices on their platform. He informed me of his decision shortly after our interview on Friday,” Lemon stated in a social media post.
“Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, assuring me of his ‘full support’ and stating that his ‘digital town square is for all.’ He and his team pursued the deal in multiple discussions and made significant commitments regarding the support X would provide for the show. I agreed to collaborate with them in a unique partnership, believing it would ensure that my work reaches a wide audience. I trusted Elon and his management team’s assurances that, for the first time, they were keen on collaborating directly with new and diverse voices,” Lemon elaborated.
“The interview had no imposed restrictions to which he consented willingly, and my questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering topics from SpaceX to the presidential election. We had a productive conversation. However, evidently, he perceived it differently,” Lemon continued. “His vision of a global town square where all questions are welcomed and all ideas shared seems not to extend to questions directed at him from individuals like myself.”
Lemon’s interview with Musk will still be available on X, YouTube, and all podcast platforms on March 18.
An X spokesperson informed Fox News Digital, “X is a platform that advocates for free speech, and we’re proud to offer an open environment for diverse voices and viewpoints. ‘The Don Lemon Show’ is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to expand their work and engage with new communities. However, like any business, we reserve the right to make decisions regarding our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X opted not to engage in a commercial partnership with the show.”
Lemon took a dig at X’s statement, remarking, “Clean up on aisle X.”
He also directly addressed Musk, who earlier in the day had stated, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy.”
“You terminated my contract after our interview. I doubt your belief in free speech,” Lemon asserted to Musk.
Lemon was dismissed from CNN last year by then-CEO Chris Licht, who himself was ousted weeks later.
