Al Jazeera

Former CNN host Don Lemon on Thursday sued Elon Musk and his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after a $1.5M one-year deal to host a talk show on the billionaire's platform quickly evaporated.

BBC News

New York Times

After Lemon was fired from CNN over controversial comments about then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in April last year, Musk reached out to him to launch a new show on X.

However, after just one episode of "The Don Lemon Show" — in which Musk was the guest and was asked about his drug use and alleged hate speech on X — Musk abruptly canceled the deal.

Shortly after, Musk wrote on X that Lemon's approach "was basically just 'CNN, but on social media." Lemon's lawsuit comes less than five months after the deal crumbled.

In the lawsuit filed in the San Francisco Superior Court, Lemon accused Musk and X of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, misappropriation of his name and likeness, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.

CNBC

New York Post

He also alleges that Musk and X "deliberately misrepresented what they intended to do" and used the news of their content deal to boost X's profile, then scrapped it without compensating him. Musk hasn't commented on the suit.

Al Jazeera #

Former CNN host Don Lemon on Thursday sued Elon Musk and his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after the $1.5M one-year deal to host a talk show on X fell apart.

BBC News #

New York Times #

After Lemon's exit from CNN last year over controversial comments about Nikki Haley, Musk reached out to him to launch a new show on X.

CNN #

However, after just one episode of "The Don Lemon Show" — in which Musk was the guest and was asked about his drug use and hate speech on X — Musk abruptly canceled the deal.

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NBC #

CNBC #

He also alleges that Musk and X "deliberately misrepresented what they intended to do" and used the news of their content deal to boost X's profile, then scrapped it without compensating him.

Musk and X sought Lemon to revitalize the platform after dozens of advertisers pulled out over its content moderation policies. Musk must compensate and pay for damages after unfairly terminating the multi-million-dollar partnership deal.

Elon Musk sued by ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon over canceled X deal

Besides promising Lemon 60% of gross advertising revenue, Musk had agreed to pay Lemon several financial perks. Musk has shown enough generosity, and he can't be forced to satisfy Lemon's greed — he had reportedly demanded a $5M upfront — and receive brickbats in return.

New York Post #

Fired CNN anchor Don Lemon sues Elon Musk over canceled X deal

There's a 1% chance that X will declare bankruptcy in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

X bankruptcy in 2024?

Josh Brasted/Contributor/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Don Lemon Sues Elon Musk and X Over Canceled Show

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During negotiations, Lemon sought out numerous benefits, and Musk had generously agreed to pay him several financial perks. Could he really be so surprised that the deal was canceled once he went after the man paying his bills?

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Don Lemon Sues Elon Musk and X Over Canceled Show

Don Lemon Sues Elon Musk and X Over Canceled Show

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