Ousted CNN host Don Lemon said Wednesday X owner Elon Musk canceled his upcoming show on the social media platform following a taped interview with the billionaire, just two months after Lemon announced the show.
Former CNN host Don Lemon will debut his new show on YouTube, after announcing a show on X.
Lemon announced the abrupt cancellation in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying “Elon Musk is mad at me” and “so upset” about a recorded interview Lemon held with Musk.
The former CNN host admitted the interview with Musk was “tense at times” but argued the idea of the interview with Musk would be “good for people to see and hear our exchange.”
Lemon said the first episode of his new show will instead premiere on YouTube on March 18
Lemon, who received pushback earlier this year for announcing a show on X, said he initially decided to host a show on the platform because he “believe[s] in free speech” and “believed that this was the best possible chance for the work that I’m doing to reach the largest amount of people.” After interviewing Musk, a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist, Lemon argued “apparently free speech absolutism doesn’t apply when it comes to questions about him from people like me.”
‘Don Lemon Show’ Launching On X—9 Months After CNN Fired Host (Forbes)
CNN Settles With Ex-Anchor Don Lemon, His Representative Confirms (Forbes)
Don Lemon Fired By CNN After 17 Years: A Timeline Of His Controversies (Forbes)