Musk Fires Don Lemon From X Deal: “His Approach Was Just CNN, But On Social Media”
(Steve Watson) Free speech proponents on X raised an eyebrow when owner Elon Musk announced that he had penned an agreement with Don Lemon earlier this year, but now Elon has decided to fire Lemon, stating that Lemon’s approach was just to do the same thing he did on the “dying” CNN.
Lemon’s first X show was supposed to be an interview with Elon, which the owner said he granted only because the content was going to end up on X.
Yet it quickly became apparent that Lemon was just hammering the same tired ‘you promote hate speech on X’ talking points as he did before he was fired by CNN.
Musk quickly realised that the interview and the wider agreement with Lemon was a complete waste of time, and ended both.
Hilariously, Lemon then ran back to CNN with his ‘big story’ about being unceremoniously canned by Musk, and how that isn’t free speech… or something.
He also used the opportunity to attack Musk for having and promoting ‘offensive’ opinions, about subjects like the illegal immigration crisis, claiming that it inspires mass shootings.
Don Lemon is complaining on CNN (where he was fired from) that people like Elon Musk aren’t allowed to oppose illegal immigration because “radicalized shooters” use that “rhetoric” in their manifestos.
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) March 13, 2024
You’re insane, @DonLemon. pic.twitter.com/WZ8nah7vnN
Lemon also posted a video he filmed of himself in the street with a Starbucks latte yapping about how Musk is big mad at him.
Elon Musk canceled #TheDonLemonShow👀
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
Watch on YouTube and listen everywhere on Monday March 18. pic.twitter.com/AAhnvcY0ny
And sent out a press release desperately peddling the ‘story’ in an attempt to get people to watch his new ‘show’ which he says he’ll still post on X anyway.
News from me…#TheDonLemonShow pic.twitter.com/PzlKuvkZtj
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
Elon responded, stating Lemon’s “approach was basically just “CNN, but on social media”, which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying.”
“And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity,” Musk continued, adding “All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else.”
Any specific reasons ?
— Mark Zuckerberg - Parody (@MarkZuckss) March 13, 2024
X’s Business account also put out a statement, noting “after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show,” and “The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship.”
X is a platform that champions free speech, and we’re proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives. 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…
— Business (@XBusiness) March 13, 2024