Elon Musk cancels Don Lemon’s X talk show abruptly after their interview

Lemon reported that Musk texted him “contract terminated” after their interview

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon announced on Wednesday that Elon Musk had abruptly terminated a deal to exclusively host Lemon’s new talk show on X, formerly Twitter. Lemon said in a post on the platform that Musk cancelled the partnership hours after the two filmed an interview, which was set to be part of the show’s debut episode. Lemon said Musk texted him, “contract terminated”.

“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,” Lemon said in the post.

Musk did not deny axing Lemon’s show. The billionaire tweeted, “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.” Musk has previously called himself a “free speech absolutist”.

Lemon mentioned in his Wednesday post that he would still air the interview with Musk on YouTube and on X, and included the side-eye emoji.

“While Elon goes back on his word, I will be doubling down on my commitment to free speech,” Lemon stated.

Musk’s company first announced the talk show deal with Lemon in January, as X sought to venture more into video content and lure big-name hosts to the platform. The Don Lemon Show was set to air three 30-minute episodes a week. Lemon was one of CNN’s marquee stars before the network fired him in a surprise turn last April, following his internal disputes with other staff and a failed run as morning show host.

When Lemon announced his departure from CNN on X, Musk replied, suggesting Lemon consider doing his show on the platform and claiming the “audience is bigger” than CNN. Musk also hosted Tucker Carlson’s show on X after Carlson was fired from Fox News last year.

“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 said on Wednesday. “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.”

Musk has faced challenges in attracting major talent to X as he tries to pivot the platform toward video content. He has attempted to get influencers like Mr Beast to upload their material. Musk also announced last week that the company was launching a long-form video streaming app available on smart televisions.

Musk expanding X into video content is part of the platform’s efforts to recover declining advertising revenues. After Musk took over, several major companies halted advertising on X due to an increase in extremist content, including racism and antisemitism, as documented by researchers.