New York
CNN
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Don Lemon mentioned Wednesday that his partnership with Elon Musk went down in flames, hours after the previous CNN anchor carried out an interview final week with the erratic billionaire for the debut episode of his new impartial web-based present.
“Elon publicly inspired me to affix X with a brand new present, saying I’d have his ‘full help,’” Lemon mentioned in a press release, including that he took Musk at his phrase that he was “all in favour of working immediately with numerous voices.”
Lemon mentioned the sit-down he carried out with Musk for the primary episode of “The Don Lemon Present,” which shall be launched Monday on social media platforms together with X and YouTube, was “respectful and large ranging” and that “there have been no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to.”
“His dedication to a world city sq. the place all questions will be requested and all concepts will be shared appears to not embody questions of him from individuals like me,” Lemon added.
In a video posted on his social media Wednesday, Lemon took additional goal at Musk’s declare to be a “free speech absolutist.”
“All through our dialog I stored reiterating to him, though it was tense at occasions, I assumed it was good for individuals to see our alternate,” Lemon mentioned. “However apparently free speech absolutism doesn’t apply on the subject of questions on him from individuals like me.”
Whereas the interview isn’t but public, an individual aware of the matter mentioned Musk was miffed when Lemon questioned him on his use of the drug ketamine, his authorities safety clearance, and the problem of antisemitism.
In a press release, X defended Musk’s determination to drag the plug on its settlement with Lemon.
“The Don Lemon Present is welcome to publish its content material on X, with out censorship, as we imagine in offering a platform for creators to scale their work and join with new communities,” the corporate mentioned in a press release. “Nevertheless, like every enterprise, we reserve the fitting to make selections about our enterprise partnerships, and after cautious consideration, X determined to not enter right into a business partnership with the present.”
Requested by a person on X what led to the choice, Musk attacked Lemon and CNN, which isn’t concerned in Lemon’s new enterprise.
“His method was mainly simply ‘CNN, however on social media’, which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the truth that CNN is dying,” Musk wrote. “And, as a substitute of it being the actual Don Lemon, it was actually simply [former CNN chief] Jeff Zucker speaking by means of Don, so lacked authenticity.”
However a spokesperson for Lemon advised CNN that the media character expects Musk to honor the monetary phrases of the settlement.
“Don has a cope with X and expects to be paid for it,” the spokesperson mentioned. “If we’ve got to go to court docket we are going to.”
Lemon technically had not inked a contract with X, individuals aware of the matter advised CNN. However contracts don’t essentially should be signed to be legally binding, notably whether it is clear all sides had arrived at a mutual understanding. And in keeping with the individuals near the matter, Lemon’s camp is assured {that a} deal had successfully been struck, as evidenced by the truth that X had touted the deal in public bulletins earlier this yr. Furthermore, Musk himself appeared to acknowledge that there had been a deal, texting Jay Sures, the UTA energy agent who represents Lemon, “contract is canceled,” in keeping with individuals aware of the matter.
The deal’s implosion comes after Musk urged Lemon to launch a present on his platform, writing final yr on X: “It’d be nice to have [MSNBC host] Rachel Maddow, Don Lemon & others on the left put their reveals on this platform. No exclusivity or authorized docs required! You’ll obtain our full help. The digital city sq. is for all.”
In one other publish, Musk immediately appealed to Lemon: “Have you ever thought-about doing all of your present on this platform? Perhaps value a attempt. Viewers is way larger.”
Musk has claimed to imagine in free speech absolutism, however he has repeatedly taken steps to restrict the speech of critics. The billionaire has at occasions suspended journalists from his platform and filed lawsuits towards watchdogs for publishing experiences crucial of X.
Whereas Musk ceaselessly launches ugly assaults on journalists and conventional information organizations, he has concurrently elevated conspiracy theories and extremist rhetoric.
Final yr, Musk endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy idea, which resulted in droves of advertisers fleeing X. Solely then, days afterward, did Musk publicly categorical regret for his actions.
Lemon was ousted from CNN final yr, in a call that the longtime anchor mentioned left him “shocked.” No particular purpose was given by CNN for Lemon’s dismissal, however it got here after he was broadly criticized for making sexist feedback about then-GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Lemon apologized for the remarks on the time, saying, “After I make a mistake, I personal it. And I personal this one as properly.”
This story has been up to date with statements posted on X and extra context.