Elon Musk's last-minute deal break with Don Lemon's X talk show leaves Internet curious

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Don Lemon has disclosed that his talk show dealing with social media platform X fell apart after he grilled Elon Musk during a pre-recorded interview. The episode of 'The Don Lemon Show' was set to air on Monday, March 18. 

The former CNN anchor who was fired from the network almost a year ago, announced earlier this year that he had partnered with Musk to create a show that would facilitate "honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors."

Elon Musk reportedly canceled the deal at the last minute 

On Wednesday, March 13, just days before the show's debut on X, Lemon revealed that Musk decided to back out of the deal at the last minute, withdrawing his "commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform."

"Hi everyone, Elon Musk is mad at me," Lemon said in a video posted on social media on Wednesday, March 13, where he explained that the X deal was off and Musk's commitment to "free speech absolutism" didn't seem to apply after the X owner was put in the hot seat.

However, in the video, Lemon said that he would move forward with 'The Don Lemon Show' and post episodes to YouTube, X, and other channels.

He also assured that his interview with Musk would still air on Monday as planned, noting that the only part of his show that will be changing is "my relationship to Musk and X."

Don Lemon is disappointed with Elon Musk 

Lemon elaborated on his disappointment with Musk for walking away from the deal in a written statement released on Wednesday.

"[Musk] informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday," Lemon said in the statement.

"There were no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to, and my questions were respectful and wide ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election," he explained.

"We had good conversation," Lemon continued per People Magazine. "Clearly he felt differently. His commitment to a global town square where all questions can be asked and all ideas can be shared seems to not include questions of him from people like me."

Don Lemon elaborates on why he wanted to work with Elon Musk

Lemon said in the statement that the sole reason why he desired to work with a controversial person like Musk in the first place was because he believed it would help his work reach the largest number of people.

He claimed that Musk promised his "full support" for 'The Don Lemon Show', saying, "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."

When did Don Lemon first announce his X talk show?

Lemon first announced his new talk show on January 9, 2024.

He wrote, "I've heard you... and today I am back bigger, bolder, freer! My new media company's first project is The Don Lemon Show. It will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where the conversations are happening."

Lemon said that he had reached a "content partnership" with X, meaning the 30-minute episodes would air on Musk's social media site before reaching other platforms.

"I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors," Lemon wrote. "This is just the beginning so stay tuned."

That same day, X confirmed news of the deal in a statement, which read, "We’re delighted to announce a new content partnership with @DonLemon for his new project, The Don Lemon Show. The award-winning TV journalist will share his unique and honest voice in 30 minute episodes, three times a week, covering politics, culture, sports and entertainment. The show will run exclusively first on X. Welcome Don!"

Internet reacts after Don Lemon broke the news on social media

Internet users were quick to react after Don Lemon disclosed the news of Musk backing out from the deal at the very last moment.

One user asked Lemon, "How could you not have known this was going to happen." Another wrote, "Don Lemon, maybe it’s because you’re a terrible person with hateful racist politics? Have you considered that?" 

"Is this a marketing ploy or is it for real? Either way, it worked," asked one user while another one opined, "I'm confident we don't have the full story. I will tune in and watch the interview next Monday."

Another user tweeted, "I have some thoughts Don Lemon but I won’t express them cuz I’m 41 and past my prime."

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