Don Lemon Files Lawsuit Against Elon Musk And X Over Show Termination
Former CNN host Don Lemon has taken legal action against X and its owner Elon Musk, accusing them of breaching an agreement to host his show on the platform. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in San Francisco, claims that X and Musk failed to honor an exclusive deal that included an annual payment of $1.5 million and full creative control over Lemon’s content.
Lemon, who was fired from CNN in April of last year, stated that he entered into the agreement with X after his departure from the network. The deal allegedly promised significant financial incentives and operational freedom. However, following a controversial interview between Lemon and Musk, the company canceled the show and refused to compensate him.
“To this day, Defendants have not compensated Lemon pursuant to the exclusive partnership deal that Defendants induced Lemon to enter into,” the complaint reads, according to NBC News. Lemon also accused the company of fraud and misappropriation of his name and likeness.
The complaint alleges that Lemon was pressured into the agreement without formal documentation and that Musk never intended to fulfill the terms. Lemon claimed he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars establishing his media company, expecting to receive the promised support from X.
“You don’t have to be a genius to see the fraud, negligence, and reputational damage here,” said Lemon’s attorney Carney Shegerian to NBC. “This case is straightforward. X’s executives used Don to prop up their advertising sales pitch, then canceled their partnership and dragged Don’s name through the mud. … Don’s a hard-hitting journalist who’s committed to defending his good name. We look forward to our day in court.”
While the lawsuit does not specify the exact amount of damages being sought, it highlights the significant impact on Lemon’s career, financial status, and emotional well-being due to the deal’s collapse.
Lemon’s lawsuit raises important questions about the contractual obligations of social media companies and their treatment of high-profile media figures, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in business agreements.
