Elon Musk Responds To Ending Don Lemon Partnership: It Was 'CNN But On Social Media'

On Wednesday, X (formally Twitter) owner Elon Musk defended his decision to end X's partnership with former CNN host Don Lemon after a tumultuous interview that led Musk to conclude that Lemon was simply trying to replicate CNN on social media.

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, X partnered with Lemon in January to start a new show after former Fox News host Tucker Carlson saw tremendous success on the platform in recent months. Lemon, however, seemed to upset Musk, whom he was interviewing for the show's first episode on March 18.

"Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform," Lemon wrote on X. "He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday." The interview will still premiere on March 18 despite the canceled partnership. "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."

Lemon said that he believed that the two "had a good conversation" but that "clearly he felt differently." The former CNN host then criticized Musk for the reversal, given Musk's strong support for freedom of speech and the idea of an online digital town square. "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 wrote. "While Elon goes back on his word, I will be doubling down on my commitment to free speech, and I cannot wait to get started." Musk has yet to respond publicly to Lemon's statement.

In response to the criticism, X's business account emphasized that Lemon is able to publish his content on the platform without censorship and that the company reserves "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." Lemon responded to the statement on X, writing, "Clean up on aisle X."

Musk would chime in to defend his decision, writing, "His 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. All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else." Musk also wrote earlier in the day that "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy," to which Lemon responded, "You canceled my contract after our interview. I don't think you believe in free speech."

Lemon seemingly thinks that the Constitution gives him the right to enter into a business partnership with X. His right to freedom of speech won't be infringed upon by the platform like what happens on other social media with conservative content creators. While the canceled partnership was a sudden decision by Musk, it will likely generate even more attention to Lemon's interview with the billionaire once it is released on X, YouTube, and other podcast platforms on Monday.

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