The anticipated talk show deal between former television anchor Don Lemon and the social media platform X went up in flames following a contentious interview with Elon Musk. Just days before the show was set to air, Mr. Musk pulled the plug on the partnership, citing a lack of originality in Mr. Lemon’s approach.
The interview, which took place at SpaceX’s office in Austin, Texas, reportedly delved into sensitive topics such as the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, Mr. Musk’s alleged drug use, and his various business ventures. Despite Mr. Lemon’s assurance that the questions were respectful and wide-ranging, Mr. Musk felt differently and decided to end the collaboration.
Salespeople at X were caught off guard by the sudden cancellation, as they had been actively working on securing ads for the show. This move marks the latest in a series of self-inflicted disruptions at X, including Mr. Musk’s previous controversial statements and actions that led to an exodus of advertisers.
In response to the cancellation, Mr. Lemon announced that he would release the interview on YouTube and continue to share his content on X. However, X stated that they would no longer financially support Mr. Lemon’s new show, “The Don Lemon Show.”
Despite the setback, Mr. Lemon’s spokeswoman affirmed that he intends to seek payment from X and is prepared to take legal action if necessary. The situation underscores the challenges faced by X’s chief executive, Linda Yaccarino, as she navigates the platform’s content portfolio under the impulsive leadership of Mr. Musk.
The fallout from the failed deal serves as a cautionary tale for content creators and advertisers alike, highlighting the unpredictable nature of partnerships in the ever-evolving media landscape.
