Don Lemon attends the 15th annual CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute event at the American Museum of Natural History on December 12, 2021 in New York City.
Mike Coppola | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon announced Wednesday that Elon Musk has canceled a partnership with Lemon to host a new show on Musk-owned social media platform X.
lemon says He recorded an interview with Musk at the premiere of “The Don Lemon Show” on March 18, and was informed of the decision to cancel the deal just hours later.
“We had a great conversation. Obviously he felt differently,” Lemon said of the interview in a statement Wednesday. “His commitment to a global town square where all questions can be asked and all ideas can be shared does not seem to include the questions people like me are asking him.”
“The interview he voluntarily agreed to was without restrictions, and my questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election,” Lemon’s statement said.
Late Wednesday, Musk said in a post on Mon/Zach certainly welcomes them on this platform as much as anyone else.” Zucker is the former president of CNN.
Musk has for years described himself as an advocate for the First Amendment and free speech. When he took over Twitter, he reinstated accounts that had been permanently suspended under his previous management, including that of former President Donald Trump. At the same time, he has little tolerance for employees’ free speech and has banned or suspended several of X’s critics since taking over the company.
Lemon said his show will continue despite the deal being cancelled. Lemon said the interview with Musk will be posted on YouTube and podcast platforms and will remain available on X.
X’s corporate account said: “The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X without censorship because we believe in giving creators a platform to expand their work and connect with new communities.” said in a statement on the website. “However, like any business, we reserve the right to make decisions about commercial partnerships and after careful consideration, X has decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.”
Allison Gollust, a former cable news anchor and former CNN chief marketing officer, said Lemon is expected to be compensated for her work with X.
“Don made an agreement with X and wants to be paid for it. If we have to go to court, we will,” Gollust said in a statement to CNBC.
X announced in January that Lemon would host a show on the platform in addition to shows by former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and sports commentator Jim Rome. Lemon was fired from CNN last year for airing reports of sexist comments and mistreatment of colleagues.
CNBC reached out to Musk, one of his attorneys, Alex Spiro, and Twitter. It’s unclear what contracts, if any, are in place between X and the Don Lemon Show and what the terms of any partnership are.
—CNBC’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.
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