Don Lemon revealed that his interview with Elon Musk led to the termination of his partnership with X, formerly known as Twitter, just hours after filming the interview for the premiere episode of “The Don Lemon Show.”
Musk’s Decision
Lemon shared that Musk canceled the partnership, which was initially announced as part of X’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Despite Lemon describing the interview as having “no restrictions” and a “good conversation,” Musk decided to terminate the partnership.
Response from X
Following Lemon’s announcement, the official X Business account released a statement reaffirming its support for free speech but clarified that it had decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with “The Don Lemon Show.” The statement emphasized X’s prerogative to make decisions about its business partnerships.
Interview Content
Journalist Kara Swisher, in her post to X, mentioned that Lemon’s interview with Musk included questions about the Tesla CEO’s alleged ketamine use. Lemon later elaborated in a follow-up video, stating that Musk was “apparently so upset” about the interview, describing the interaction as “tense” at times.
Background and Context
Musk had recruited Lemon to X after Lemon’s departure from CNN. Last year, Musk expressed optimism about Lemon’s show on X, promising a “much bigger audience.” Lemon’s departure from CNN was met with Musk’s endorsement of Lemon’s move to X.
Future Availability
Despite the partnership termination, Lemon assured his audience that the interview with Musk would still be available on various platforms, including YouTube, podcast platforms, and X, on March 18. Lemon reiterated his commitment to free speech and expressed determination to continue his endeavors.
Elon Musk’s decision to end the partnership underscores the complexities of navigating free speech, business partnerships, and media engagements in the digital age. Lemon’s experience highlights the challenges faced by content creators in maintaining autonomy and integrity while navigating corporate partnerships.
Ben Müller
