Don Lemon claims that Elon Musk has pulled the plug on his upcoming show hours after her interviewed the controversial billionaire.
Lemon took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, writing that 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.”
Twitter CEO Elon Musk speaks at the “Twitter 2.0: From Conversations to Partnerships,” marketing conference in Miami Beach, Florida, on April 18, 2023. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Don Lemon Show was one of the first original shows announced in X’s expansion of content partnerships in January. Others in the lineup included Tulsi Gabbard and sportscaster Jim Rome in the mix.
“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,'” Lemon continued in his statement. “He and his team pursued the deal in numerous conversations and made significant commitments about the support X would provide for the show… 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.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Don Lemon attends The 15th Annual CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 12, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
Lemon said there were “no restrictions” put on his interview with Musk “that he willingly agreed to.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 06: Elon Musk walks in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 06, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
“My questions were respectful and wide ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election. We had a good conversation. Clearly he felt differently,” the former CNN host noted. “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.”
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 13, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Lemon’s interview with Musk will remain on the premiere episode of The Don Lemon Show, which the former CNN host stated would be released on both X and YouTube, with subsequent episodes of the interviews solely releasing on YouTube.
“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 in his statement.
