In a move that has stirred up significant controversy, former CNN anchor Don Lemon has filed a lawsuit against X (formerly known as Twitter) and its owner, Elon Musk. The legal action, lodged in San Francisco, accuses Musk and the social media giant of breaching their contract and tarnishing Lemon’s reputation after a high-profile partnership fell through.
Lemon’s legal team is alleging that X executives exploited his name to boost their advertising efforts and then abruptly canceled their partnership. “This case is straightforward,” said Lemon’s attorney, Carney Shegerian. “X executives used Don to prop up their advertising sales pitch, then canceled their partnership and dragged Don’s name through the mud. It’s a clear case of fraud, negligence, and reputational damage.”
The lawsuit claims that Lemon was promised a one-year contract valued at least $1.5 million, plus a 60% cut of ad revenue and bonuses based on his show’s follower growth. Lemon also asserts that he was coerced into delivering a glowing endorsement of the platform to potential advertisers.
Musk, who has yet to comment on the legal dispute, had previously signaled discontent with the partnership. The fallout began after a tense interview between Lemon and Musk. During the exchange, Lemon grilled Musk about the prevalence of hate speech on the platform. According to reports, Musk was so put off by the interaction that he called Lemon’s agent to terminate the deal.
Musk, who is known for his blunt public remarks, did not hold back. On March 13, he took to social media to criticize Lemon’s approach, stating that the former CNN anchor’s style was “CNN, but on social media,” and dismissing it as ineffective. Musk’s critique was harsh, declaring that CNN is “dying” and implying that Lemon’s approach was outdated.
The lawsuit has also uncovered some intriguing demands from Lemon. Reports suggest that the anchor sought an upfront payment of $5 million in addition to an $8 million salary, along with an equity stake in X. On top of that, Lemon allegedly requested a free Tesla Cybertruck, a private jet to Las Vegas complete with luxury accommodations for himself and his fiancé, and even perks like day drinking and massages.
The legal drama adds to Lemon’s troubled career trajectory. Fired from CNN in April 2023, Lemon’s exit followed a series of public controversies. These included his ill-advised comment that GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not “in her prime,” which many criticized as sexist and ageist. He also had a public clash with co-host Kaitlan Collins, reportedly screaming at her off-camera and causing her to flee the studio.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it highlights the growing tensions between high-profile personalities and the social media platforms they engage with. Don Lemon’s legal battle against Elon Musk and X underscores the ongoing clash between traditional media figures and the new guard of digital media moguls. Whether Lemon will find justice in court remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this dispute is far from over.
