Former CNN anchor Don Lemon’s new show has already been dropped by Elon Musk’s X social media platform before the first episode has even aired.
Lemon announced Wednesday that his show had been axed and claimed it was because “Elon Musk is mad at me.”
However, Musk said Lemon’s shows ended up just being “CNN, but on social media” and argued that it “lacked authenticity.”
The first episode was due to be published on X and featured Lemon interviewing Musk.
In a statement, Lemon suggested that Musk didn’t like the nature of the interview.
However, the show has now been blocked from X, despite the company canceling their commercial partnership.
“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 said in a video he shared on social media.
WATCH:
Don Lemon is not handling his termination well😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OUrdnyBGLy
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) March 13, 2024
Lemon, who was fired from CNN last year, already recorded his interview with Musk and detailed its future in a lengthy statement.
“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.,” Lemon wrote in a statement posted on social media.
“He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday.”
The interview that Lemon conducted with Musk will remain the premiere episode of “The Don Lemon Show” on March 18.
In a long statement, Lemon continued:
“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,” Lemon wrote.
“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 continued.
“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 said his conversation with Musk will be available on YouTube, wherever podcasts are available, and X.
Concluding his lengthy statement, Lemon wrote:
“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.”
News from me…#TheDonLemonShow pic.twitter.com/PzlKuvkZtj
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
An X spokesperson responded to Lemon’s claims by providing the following statement:
“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.”
Musk himself added on X:
“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.”
Tech journalist Kara Swisher reported that Musk sent a “terse text” to Lemon’s reps stating “Contract terminated.”
She gloated that she predicted that the partnership between Lemon and X wouldn’t work out.
“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 wrote on X.
Lemon was fired from CNN last year by the network’s then-CEO Chris Licht.
Licht was shown the door himself weeks later.
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