Don Lemon has revealed his proposed partnership on platform X with Elon Musk came to a crashing end before it even aired.
The former CNN anchor described his show's first interview with Musk as 'tense' in what is to be the debut episode. "Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, saying I would have his 'full support,'" Lemon said in a statement, adding that he took Musk at his word that he was "interested in working directly with diverse voices."
The first episode of "The Don Lemon Show" will be released on Monday on all social media platforms, including X and YouTube. Lemon sat down with Musk in what he claims was a respectful and wide-ranging session and that "there were no restrictions on the interview he willingly agreed to."
"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 added.
Lemon posted a video on his Instagram page Wednesday taking shots at Musk and called out his claim of being a "free speech absolutist."
"Throughout our conversation I kept reiterating to him, although it was tense at times, I thought it was good for people to see our exchange," Lemon said. "But apparently free speech absolutism doesn't apply when it comes to questions about him from people like me."
X released a statement defending Musk's decision to rescind the offer with Lemon, reported CNN.
"The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to scale their work and connect with new communities," the company said in a statement. "However, like any enterprise, we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.
However, a spokesperson for Lemon told CNN that the media personality expects Musk to honor the financial terms of the agreement.
"Don has a deal with X and expects to be paid for it," the spokesperson said. "If we have to go to court, we will."
While Musk has repeatedly emphasized his belief in free speech absolutism, he has continuously taken steps to limit the speech of critics. The billionaire has allegedly suspended journalists from X and even filed lawsuits against watchdogs for publishing reports critical of the platform.
In a surefire launch to conspiracy theories and extremist rhetoric, Musk regularly instigates ugly attacks on journalists and traditional news organizations.
Just last year, Musk was accused of endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory, ultimately pushing several advertisers to pull out of the platform. Ten days afterward, he finally expressed remorse for his actions to the public.
Lemon was relieved of his duties from CNN last year, in a decision he says left him "stunned."
CNN never explained the dismissal, but it's widely believed to have come on the heels of sexist comments he made about then-GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Lemon apologized for the remarks at the time, saying, "When I make a mistake, I own it. And I own this one as well."
