Former CNN host Don Lemon revealed on Wednesday that just hours after filming an interview with Elon Musk for the premiere of a show to air exclusively on X (formerly Twitter), the platform’s impulsive owner killed the streaming deal altogether.
In a statement shared on X, Lemon said Musk unilaterally canceled the partnership — part of a “public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices” on the site — ahead of a March 18 debut, but that the segment they taped will still be released in various formats, including on X, on that date. He clarified that there were “no restrictions” placed on the conversation, and claimed that his questions were “respectful.”
Lemon also shared a video in which he jabbed Musk over the billionaire’s professed free speech absolutism and said that their on-camera exchange was “tense at times.” He concluded by teasing the release of the interview, asking why Musk was so upset. Musk, who had excitedly announced bringing The Don Lemon Show to X in January, criticized the journalist on Wednesday. “His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media,’ which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying,” he tweeted. “And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just [former CNN president] Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity.”
Tech reporter Kara Swisher claimed in a tweet — retweeted by Lemon — that Musk had taken issue with some of the topics Lemon sought to cover in the discussion, including his use of ketamine. (Executives and board members at Musk’s various companies have at times expressed concern about his dabbling in drugs.) Swisher further claimed that X will have to “pay out” despite pulling the deal. A representative for Lemon did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of these details, but the host told the New York Times that he had asked Musk about the 2024 presidential election as well as his drug use.
Sources familiar with the matter told Semafor that although Musk texted Lemon’s agent the message “contract is canceled,” Lemon had not yet signed anything, which leaves open the possibility of a protracted legal tussle over payment.
Lemon took the opportunity to taunt Musk another time when the Tesla and SpaceX CEO once again touted the importance of free speech, tweeting: “You canceled my contract after our interview. I don’t think you believe in free speech.” He also responded to a statement from the X “Business” account noting that Lemon was free to share his show on the platform but has “the right to make decisions about our business partnerships.” Lemon made light of the entire mess: “Cleanup on aisle X,” he posted.
Under Musk, X has attempted to refashion itself into a home for video and streaming creators — yesterday, CEO Linda Yaccarino tweeted that it “is becoming a video first platform.” Following his ouster from Fox News, Tucker Carlson began airing interviews on his account, while X has evidently made an effort to convince mega-popular YouTuber MrBeast that his content would gain a larger audience (and earn more revenue) on the site. At the tech conference CES in January, Yaccarino hyped Lemon’s forthcoming show as part of X’s expanding slate of exclusive video offerings.
It’s unclear if Lemon, who was fired from CNN last year after 17 years (the network recently agreed to pay him $24.5 million in a separation deal), will continue to upload full episodes of The Don Lemon Show on X after airing the Musk interview, or mainly stick to YouTube and podcast formats from that point forward. Either way, he seems happy to have kicked things off with a bit of controversy. “I cannot wait to get started,” his statement concluded.
Update March 13, 6:44pm ET: This story has been updated to include details about Lemon’s interview with Musk and his canceled deal with X.