Elon Musk Cancels Don Lemon’s X Deal After One Show

Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has terminated a previously announced partnership with Don Lemon, effectively canceling “The Don Lemon Show” on the platform.

The cancellation came hours after an exclusive interview Musk granted Lemon, which was set to premiere the new series on Monday, March 18. Despite the setback, Lemon vowed to proceed with the show’s debut on YouTube and other podcast platforms.

The former CNN host revealed Musk’s decision in a video shared on X. “Hi everyone, Elon Musk is mad at me,” Lemon began his address. “But make no mistake about this. This is going to be my first episode of the Don Lemon Show this coming Monday, March 18th. So make sure you tune in. This has not changed anything about the show except for my relationship with Elon and X.”

In January, Lemon announced his new venture, ‘The Don Lemon Show’ that was set to air in 30-minute episodes on X. “So speaking of free speech, right, I thought the first person to interview, no brainer, Elon Musk, the man who calls himself a free speech absolutist. I asked him to do it. He willingly agreed to the interview,” Lemon said. “But apparently free speech absolutism doesn’t apply when it comes to questions about him from people like me.”

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In another statement, Lemon wrote that there were no restrictions placed on the interview, which covered a wide range of topics from SpaceX to the presidential election. He described the conversation as “good” and “respectful.”

+ Statement from Don Lemon: pic.twitter.com/vvt4HYny54

— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) March 13, 2024

“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 the most people, in the largest possible venue. I took Elon and his management team’s word that they, for the first time, were interested in working directly with new and diverse voices.”

“We had a good conversation. Clearly he felt differently,” Lemon said.

“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 concluded.

Musk, being a prominent public figure and the owner of the platform X, has shown support for various individuals and shows, including those with significant followings and influence, such as Tucker Carlson. Musk’s actions and statements on X often draw considerable attention due to his influential position in the technology and space exploration sectors, as well as his outspoken nature on social and political issues.

In April of 2023, Lemon was fired from CNN. His departure marked a significant moment in the media landscape, a culmination of a series of events that led to the end of his tenure at the network where he had become one of its most recognizable faces. As a prominent anchor, Lemon helmed “Don Lemon Tonight,” a prime-time show.

Throughout his time at CNN, Lemon was known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial takes on politics, social issues, and culture, which attracted criticism from various quarters.