X Platform’s Clash
Elon Musk suddenly canceled “The Don Lemon Show” on his social media platform X after the former CNN anchor recorded an interview with the billionaire for its yet-to-be-aired first episode.
Musk, who owns X (formerly known as Twitter) and often describes himself as a “free speech absolutist,” made the decision public on the platform. The San Francisco-based company stated that, after careful consideration, it opted not to pursue a commercial partnership with the show. It further mentioned that Lemon’s show is encouraged to share its content on X without censorship, as the platform aims to provide creators with a space to expand their work and engage with new audiences.
Don Lemon vs. Musk: Unveiling the Interview Drama
In a video shared on X, Lemon announced, “Elon Musk is mad at me,” and mentioned that he would be releasing his interview with the Tesla CEO on YouTube and as a podcast on Monday.
Lemon didn’t delve into the details of why Musk might be upset, but he stated, “Throughout our conversation, I kept emphasizing to him that while it was tense at times, I believed it was valuable for people to witness and hear our exchange, and that they would benefit from our dialogue.”
“He mentioned that the concept of free speech absolutism seems to have exceptions, especially when it involves inquiries about him,” he continued.
During a subsequent CNN conversation with Lemon on Monday, anchor Erin Burnett aired segments of Lemon’s interview with Musk, during which the Tesla and SpaceX CEO became irritated when questioned about content moderation and the proliferation of hate speech on the X platform.
Musk’s Defiance: A Clash Over Hate Speech
In the footage, Lemon inquired whether Musk believed he and his social platform had any obligation to moderate hate speech on X. Lemon specifically highlighted the dissemination of the “great replacement theory,” a racist notion that, at its most extreme, falsely alleges a Jewish conspiracy to diminish the influence of white people in the U.S.
Musk responded sharply, stating that he is not obligated to respond to reporters’ questions. “The only reason I agreed to this interview is because you’re on the X platform and you requested it,” he asserted. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be participating.” When Lemon pressed further with a question about the criticism Musk has received regarding hate speech, the CEO retorted, “I face criticism constantly. I couldn’t care less.”
