Opinion | The author's opinion does not necessarily reflect Sarah Palin's view.
Elon Musk defended canceling his platform Twitter’s partnership with Don Lemon for his planned show, claiming Lemon wanted to approach it like CNN which is “dying”.
Lemon said Musk had pursued the deal and committed support, but canceled hours after Lemon interviewed Musk, in which Lemon said the questions were respectful.
Lemon’s lawyer threatened legal action for unpaid contract.
Musk said Lemon couldn’t shake his CNN approach and it would lack authenticity, claiming CNN and Lemon’s former boss Jeff Zucker drove Lemon’s views.
“His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media’, which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying,” Musk said. “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.”
“Don has a deal with X and expects to be paid for it. If we have to go to court we will,” Lemon’s spokesperson stated.
Lemon said Musk didn’t uphold his commitment to diverse voices and questions of people like Lemon.
Twitter said it reserves the right to cancel partnerships but the interview would still be published.
“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. He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday,” Lemon wrote.
“Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, saying I would have his ‘full support,’ and that his ‘digital town square is for all.’ He and his team pursued the deal in numerous conversations and made significant commitments about the support X would provide for the show. I made the decision to work with them in a unique partnership that I believed would ultimately assure that my work would be available to most people, in the largest possible venue. I took Elon and his management’s team’s word that they, for the first time, were interested in working directly with new and diverse voices,” Lemon wrote.
“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. We had a good conversation. Clearly he felt differently,” he added. “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’s interview with Musk will still be shared on X as well as YouTube and all podcast platforms on March 18.
“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 and connect with new communities. However, like any enterprise, we reserve 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,” an X spokesperson said.
“Clean up on aisle X,” Lemon wrote.
Lemon criticized Musk for not believing in free speech after canceling the contract.
“You canceled my contract after our interview. I don’t think you believe in free speech,” Lemon said.
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