Don Lemon revealed to followers on Instagram that his new show on X has already been canceled by Elon Musk. The Don Lemon show was set to premiere on the social media platform in the coming days.
CNN seemingly took some measure of joy in the development. They reported that Lemon’s partnership with Musk “went down in flames” just “hours” after an interview between the two was recorded for the debut episode.
In the video, Lemon suggests that the interview itself sparked the shocking move to drop his show and took a jab at Musk for being an advocate for free speech.
“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.”
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Here’s Why Don Lemon Got Fired … Again
The Political Insider reported in early January that Musk had announced that Don Lemon would produce exclusive content for X.
In a statement at the time, Lemon praised the platform for its free speech stance and embraced it as the most prominent social media company allowing for debate on both sides of the political spectrum.
He referred to X as “the biggest space for free speech in the world” and as he sought “a place for honest debate and discussion.”
X and Elon Musk though, say Don Lemon wasn’t interested in honest debate during the interview.
A statement on X Business notes that the decision does not involve censoring the left-wing pundit.
Musk himself provided further details about the contentious interview and what prompted him to drop Lemon.
“His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media’, which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying,” Musk quipped.
“And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just (former CNN President) Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity.”
Musk added, “All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else.”
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Unprepared And Dull
Meanwhile, a source with knowledge of the interview between Elon Musk and Don Lemon simply said the former CNN host didn’t do a very good job.
“Don was underwhelming, unprepared, and dull,” the source told the New York Post. Which just about sums up the bulk of his career.
The Post noted that Lemon reportedly “worked with a barebones staff that included his fiance.” This gave the show an air of mediocrity.
“He was unpolished. He didn’t have producers in his ear. Jeff Zucker used to be in his ear and he would repeat back everything he was told,” the source said.
That is essentially accusing Lemon of incompetence. As well as just not being very good at his job without people around to help prop him up.
While X contends that no business partnership was ever entered into, Lemon disagrees.
“Don has a deal with X and expects to be paid for it,” a spokesperson told CNN. “If we have to go to court we will.”
Lemon will still be free to make inane comments on X without fear of being punished for exercising free speech. But it appears he just won’t be paid for those comments.
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