Don Lemon makes brief return to CNN as feud with Elon Musk intensifies
Don Lemon #DonLemon
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is doubling down on his claim that X owner Elon Musk does not care about free speech.
Lemon, in his first appearance on CNN after being fired last year, discussed how Musk canceled the partnership involving The Don Lemon Show on the social media platform.
“Free speech is only important when someone you don’t like, or I would say someone who doesn’t have your same point of view, if they are allowed to speak freely and to say their point of view,” Lemon said on Erin Burnett OutFront Wednesday night. “Apparently, that doesn’t matter to Elon Musk. It’s just for maybe talking points for him or rhetoric because it doesn’t seem to matter when it’s about him, questions about him from people like me.”
Lemon said he asked Musk about his criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion and argued that there was no evidence to back up the billionaire’s claims. He then accused Musk of getting his information from “right-wing bloggers or extremists,” pointing to how he has reposted social media posts that are often from these “extremist groups.”
In reflecting on his interview and deal breakup with Musk, Lemon suggested that it is possible “we’re learning” that a public square of the internet, such as X, should not be privately owned by someone who would not moderate speech on such a large platform.
Musk gave his own take on why he ended the deal, writing on social media that Lemon’s approach to his show was “just ‘CNN, but on social media,’ which doesn’t work.” He also claimed Lemon lacked authenticity, describing him as “just Jeff Zucker talking through Don” instead of “being the real Don Lemon.”
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“All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else,” Musk’s statement read.
Lemon said he still plans to upload his interview with Musk even after the fallout of his deal and also plans to continue his show, which will premiere on Monday.