*New York (CNN) — Don Lemon’s partnership with Elon Musk went down in flames Wednesday, hours after the previous CNN anchor interviewed the erratic billionaire for the debut episode of his new unbiased web-based present.
“Elon publicly inspired me to hitch X with a brand new present, saying I might have his ‘full assist,’” Lemon stated in a press release, including that he took Musk at his phrase that he was “concerned with working immediately with numerous voices.”
Lemon stated the sit-down he carried out with Musk for the primary episode of “The Don Lemon Present,” which will likely 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 Instagram web page (watch it above) Wednesday, Lemon took additional purpose 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 believed it was good for individuals to see our trade,” Lemon stated. “However apparently free speech absolutism doesn’t apply in the case of questions on him from individuals like me.”
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 stated in a press release.
The assertion continued: “Nonetheless, like several enterprise, we reserve the proper to make choices about our enterprise partnerships, and after cautious consideration, X determined to not enter right into a business partnership with the present.”
Requested by a consumer on X what led to the choice, Musk attacked Lemon and CNN, which isn’t concerned in Lemon’s new enterprise.
“His strategy was principally simply ‘CNN, however on social media’, which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the truth that CNN is dying,” Musk wrote. “And, as an alternative of it being the actual Don Lemon, it was actually simply [former CNN chief] Jeff Zucker speaking via Don, so lacked authenticity.”
However a spokesperson for Lemon instructed CNN that the media persona expects Musk to honor the monetary phrases of the settlement.
“Don has a take care of X and expects to be paid for it,” the spokesperson stated. “If we’ve to go to court docket we’ll.”
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 exhibits on this platform. No exclusivity or authorized docs required! You’ll obtain our full assist. The digital city sq. is for all.”
In one other submit, Musk immediately appealed to Lemon: “Have you ever thought of doing all of your present on this platform? Possibly price a attempt. Viewers is far 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 in opposition to watchdogs for publishing stories crucial of X.
Whereas Musk regularly 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 principle, which resulted in droves of advertisers fleeing X. Solely then, days afterward, did Musk publicly specific regret for his actions.
Lemon was ousted from CNN final yr, in a choice that the longtime anchor stated left him “shocked.” No particular purpose was given by CNN for Lemon’s dismissal, but it surely got here after he was extensively criticized for making sexist feedback about then-GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Lemon apologized for the remarks on the time, saying, “Once I make a mistake, I personal it. And I personal this one as nicely.”
This story has been up to date with statements posted on X and extra context.
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