SAN FRANCISCO —Elon Musk unexpectedly cancelled “The Don Lemon Show” on his social media network X after the former CNN anchor interviewed the entrepreneur for the show’s yet-to-air first episode.
Musk owns X, formerly known as Twitter, and frequently describes himself as a “free speech absolutist.” In a statement on X, the San Francisco-based company stated that after careful thought, it “decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.” According to the statement, Lemon’s 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.”
Musk Abruptly Cancels ‘The Don Lemon Show’ On X After He Sits For The Program’s First Interview
In a video released on X, Lemon stated that “Elon Musk is mad at me” and plans to air his interview with the Tesla CEO on YouTube and podcast on Monday.
Lemon did not elaborate on the source of Musk’s claimed dissatisfaction but wrote, “Throughout our conversation, I kept reiterating to him that, while it was tense at times, I thought it was good for people to see and hear our exchange and that they would learn from it.”
“But apparently free speech absolutism doesn’t apply when it comes to questions about him from people like me,” he said.
In a later CNN conversation with Lemon on Monday, host Erin Burnett presented snippets from his Musk interview, in which the Tesla and SpaceX CEO became agitated when challenged about content moderation and the growth of hate speech on the X platform.
In the video, Lemon asks Musk if he believes he and his social platform have any responsibility to censor hate speech on X. He singled out the rise of the “great replacement theory,” a racist idea that, in its most severe version, claims Jews are driving a scheme to reduce white people’s authority in the United States.
Musk Abruptly Cancels ‘The Don Lemon Show’ On X After He Sits For The Program’s First Interview
Musk responded furiously, stating that he is not required to answer reporters’ questions. “The only reason I’m in this interview is because you’re on the X platform and you asked for it,” he was quoted as saying. Otherwise, I would not be doing this interview.” When Lemon asked Musk about the criticism he has received for hate speech, the CEO responded, “I am always criticized. “I could care less.”
In January, X announced a “new content partnership” with Lemon for the show, promising to release 30-minute episodes three times per week on topics such as politics, culture, sports, and entertainment. This agreement was part of the failing platform’s efforts to expand its content offerings and attract advertisers. X also announced shows presented by Tulsi Gabbard, a former member of Congress, and Jim Rome, a sports radio broadcaster.
Musk Abruptly Cancels ‘The Don Lemon Show’ On X After He Sits For The Program’s First Interview
Lemon was sacked by CNN last year after 17 years with the network. His dismissal came a little over two months after he apologized for making on-air remarks about then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley not being in “her prime” during his brief tenure as a morning show presenter.
SOURCE – (AP)
