X owner Elon Musk ended a content partnership that would have originally aired “The Don Lemon Show” on X before the first episode aired. Cristian Bossi—Bloomberg/Getty Images
“Don, the only reason I’m doing this interview is because you’re on the X platform.”
Shortly after uttering these words, Elon Musk terminated his contract with his newest social media star, before the first episode of. don lemon show Even if it’s broadcast. The social media company later reported that the relationship with the former CNN host, which they formed just a few weeks ago, had been ended “after careful consideration.”
Just before Musk revealed that he was simply adding humor to the lemons for his business interests, journalists asked questions that irritated the owner. He wanted to know if X had a problem with hate speech, and if Musk himself had his share of hate speech. nourishing claims That white Americans are intentionally mistreated. replaced by immigrants Obedience to the regime, known as the Great Replacement Theory.
X is a platform that champions free speech and is proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives. The Don Lemon Show welcomes you to publish your content to X without censorship because we believe in providing a platform for creators to expand their work…
— Business (@XBusiness) March 13, 2024
“I don’t think free speech means the same thing to him as it does to me,” Lemon later told CNN. “Maybe we’re learning that we shouldn’t privatize the public square.”
Lemon became the second high-profile TV anchor, after Tucker Carlson, to strike for riches with X after being fired from the network.Mr. Musk even I contacted him personally. Last May, I asked if I would consider doing a show on X.
The platform Musk is beholden to needs creators.
Like any other platform, X needs content, and Mr. Musk is trying to attract big players like MrBeast to drive viewers to his site and appease the company’s concerned bankers. Busy courting creative companies. Approximately $13 billion in loans It was created to enable Musk’s acquisition of Twitter at the time.
In early January, the same week that Musk acquired controversial politician Tulsi Gabbard and sports commentator. Jim Rome Go to X’s official corporate communication account trumpeted a new contract With lemon. A series of his half-hour video episodes were initially scheduled to run exclusively on X.
“I’m thrilled to announce a new content partnership with Don Lemon,” he said, praising the host for bringing his “award-winning” brand of television journalism to X’s video-first platform.
At least on paper, the deal made sense. Once the show begins airing (scheduled for next week), Musk will position the former CNN journalist as a strong opponent to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, with each potentially able to reach different political demographics and engagement. maximize.
Musk claims former CNN president Jeff Zucker is pulling Lemon’s strings
The problem Musk now faces is that the cancellation is clearly related to his dissatisfaction with an interview scheduled to air on Monday, a fact he does not dispute. Instead, he claimed that the mogul, whose company praised him as a “unique and honest voice,” was actually a pawn of CNN’s former president all along.
“In reality, it was just Jeff Zucker speaking through Don, and it lacked credibility,” Musk said. claimedadded, “Lemon/Zucker is of course welcome to grow its audience on this platform.”
Zucker resigned from CNN in February 2022, citing a consensual but undisclosed affair with a subordinate.
Lemon, who later spoke on CNN, acknowledged that the interview, which delved into Musk’s ketamine use and his harsh political views, had been a tense one, but said he hoped for a constructive discussion between two people with different worldviews. Assured entrepreneurs that viewing is healthy for X users.
“There were no restrictions on the interview, and he was happy to oblige. My questions were respectful and wide-ranging,” Lemon said. statement Published on Wednesday. “Obviously he felt differently.”
Praise and criticism of Mr. Musk after contract termination
Kara Swisher, co-founder of the technology news website Recode and who has known Musk for almost 30 years, said this is what Mr.liar cod” and accused X CEO Linda Yaccarino of being a puppet herself.
“It’s clear once again who is actually in charge: the skinny rich guy who operates on petty whims and exhausting grievances and calls every fair question a hit,” she said. . I have written.
After our interview, you canceled my contract. I don’t think you believe in free speech. https://t.co/rD6BJIzStZ
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
But Mr. Musk also had many supporters. Gad Saad, who shares Musk’s politics and interacts with him regularly, is one of many who have jumped to support Musk. The author, professor, and evolutionary biologist said Lemon was only granted an audience with “one of the most extraordinary people alive,” but he foolishly squandered it by asking the wrong question. I scolded him for what he had done.
“You have been given the opportunity to have an open and honest dialogue with Elon Musk,” he wrote in defense of one of the world’s richest and most influential people. “You blew it with empty progressive ideological fervor.”
Musk quickly agreed. “That’s right,” he said. answeredbefore doubling down on his theory, the former CNN host was just carrying out someone else’s orders.
Musk claimed Lemon was “just reading cue cards,” using a fruit emoji instead of his name. He has no clue. ”
