In a new legal battle that pits former CNN anchor Don Lemon against billionaire Elon Musk and his social media platform X, Lemon has filed a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract after his show deal was abruptly canceled. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County, accuses Musk and X of luring Lemon into an exclusive show deal with promises of substantial financial incentives, only to back out without payment after a contentious interview.
Lemon's lawsuit claims he was promised $1.5 million annually along with full control over his content. The complaint states that Musk and X misled Lemon with "false promises and representations" to exploit his reputation and attract advertisers to the platform. Despite the initial assurances, Lemon alleges that Musk and X never intended to fulfill these promises.
The dispute began after Lemon's contentious interview with Musk on March 8, 2023, for the premiere of "The Don Lemon Show." During the interview, Lemon pressed Musk on several controversial topics, including his meeting with Donald Trump, his ketamine use, and hate speech on X. Musk appeared visibly annoyed during the interview, and within a day, he informed Lemon's agent via text that the partnership was canceled. This led to Lemon filing the lawsuit, which alleges fraud, breach of contract, and misappropriation of his name and likeness.
Lemon's complaint details how he was initially approached by Musk through a public tweet in May 2023, shortly after CNN terminated Lemon. Musk suggested that Lemon consider hosting his show on X, emphasizing the platform's larger audience. Despite initial reservations due to the controversies surrounding X, Lemon agreed after being assured he would have complete creative control.
In December 2023, Lemon met with Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, and Brett Weitz, head of content, talent, and brand sales, who reinforced Musk's promises. By January 2024, a formal deal was proposed, including a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, plus 60% of gross advertising revenue from Lemon's content. The deal also included performance-based payments and exclusive rights to specific video content for a 24-hour period before it could be shared on other platforms.
However, Lemon claims that the assurances were never genuine. According to the lawsuit, Musk and X only wanted to use Lemon's name to boost the platform's reputation and attract advertisers. The contentious interview on March 8, followed by the immediate termination of the deal, supports Lemon's allegation that Musk and X never intended to honor their promises.
Lemon's attorney, Carney Shegerian, criticized Musk and X's actions, stating, "You don't have to be a genius to see the fraud, negligence, and reputational damage here. 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."
The fallout from the canceled deal has been significant for Lemon. The lawsuit details how he incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses forming his media company, including entering a production deal, creating a studio, purchasing equipment, and hiring staff. The cancellation of the deal led to substantial financial losses and damaged Lemon's career, causing emotional distress and humiliation.
Elon Musk and X have not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The case highlights the complexities and risks involved in high-profile media partnerships and the potential for legal disputes when such deals fall apart.
