Don Lemon says Elon Musk cancelled X partnership

Former CNN host Don Lemon announced Wednesday that his partnership with X is off after an interview with the social media network’s billionaire owner, Elon Musk.

“Hi, everyone. Elon Musk is mad at me,” Lemon said in a video posted to X.

According to Lemon, Musk was “apparently so upset” about the interview that he canceled the partnership hours after it happened on Friday. However, he said the interview, part of his new media company’s first project, The Don Lemon Show, would still premiere next Monday on other platforms.

Musk addressed the cancellation on X, criticizing Lemon's approach as "basically just 'CNN, but on social media.'"

"Instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity," Musk said, referring to the former CNN president. He added that "Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else."

Lemon said that "this does not change anything about the show, except for my relationship with Elon and X." In a separate statement, he said the interview questions "were respectful and wide ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election."

The partnership was initially announced in January, making Lemon one of several ousted media personalities to attempt a comeback on the social media platform. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launched a show called “Tucker on X” in June.

Lemon was axed from CNN in April 2023 after a series of panned on-air remarks and a report from Variety that recounted an alleged pattern of misogynistic behavior toward colleagues at the network dating back at least 15 years.