By DAVID HAMILTON (AP Business Writer)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk suddenly scrapped “The Don Lemon Show” on his social media platform X after the ex-CNN anchor recorded an interview with him for the yet-to-be-aired first episode.
Musk is the owner of X, previously known as Twitter, and frequently presents himself as a “free speech absolutist.” In a post on X, the San Francisco-based company stated that after careful consideration, it “chose not to engage in a commercial partnership with the show.” It also mentioned that Lemon’s show “is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to share their work and connect with new communities.”
In a video shared on X, Lemon stated that “Elon Musk is upset with me ″ and mentioned that he will release his interview with the Tesla CEO on YouTube and as a podcast on Monday.
Lemon didn’t delve into the specifics of Musk’s alleged unhappiness, but stated, “Throughout our conversation, I repeatedly emphasized to him that despite some tense moments, I felt it was beneficial for people to witness and hear our exchange, and that they would gain from our discussion.”
“But evidently, Musk’s commitment to free speech doesn’t extend to questions about him from individuals like me,” Lemon added.
X had announced in January a “new content partnership” with Lemon for the show, stating that it would release 30-minute episodes three times a week covering topics such as politics, culture, sports, and entertainment. The agreement was part of the platform’s efforts to enhance its content offerings and attract advertisers. X had also revealed shows hosted by former member of Congress Tulsi Gabbard and sports radio host Jim Rome.
Lemon was dismissed by CNN last year after a 17-year tenure with the network. His removal came a little over two months after he apologized for on-air remarks about then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley not being in “her prime” that he made during his brief stint as a morning show host.
