X owner Elon Musk has cancelled Don Lemon's upcoming show deal with the platform.
Lemon, a 17-year veteran of CNN, announced he was launching a new show on X in January.
On Wednesday, the former CNN host announced the deal had been cancelled, per Musk's decision following an interview with the platform owner.
"Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform," Lemon wrote in a statement shared to X. "He informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him on Friday."
Lemon's interview with Musk will be the premiere episode of his new show, which will be available on YouTube.
"Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, saying I would have his 'full support,' and that his 'digital town square is for all,'" Lemon said, referencing Musk's initial offer for the former CNN pundit to host a show on the platform. "He and his team pursued the deal in numerous conversations and made significant commitments about the support X would provide for the show."
Lemon said he decided to take Musk up on the offer to "assure" that his work would be available to "the most people, in the largest possible venue."
"I took Elon and his management's team's word that they, for the first time, were interested in working directly with new and diverse voices," Lemon continued.
Musk reportedly made "no restrictions" for his interview with Lemon, and willingly agreed to the discussion, according to the former CNN host.
"My questions were respectful and wide ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election," Lemon continued. "We had a good conversation. Clearly he felt differently."
Lemon said Musk's commitment to X's emphasis on free speech did not include him. The former CNN host added The Don Lemon Show will be available on YouTube and all podcast platforms, including X.
"This will be just the first of many episodes of The Don Lemon Show," he wrote. "While Elon goes back on his word, I will be doubling down on my commitment to free speech and I cannot wait to get started."
XBusiness responded to Musk's statement later Wednesday.
"X is a platform that champions free speech, and we're proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives," XBusiness wrote, noting Lemon was still welcomed to publish his show on the platform without fear of censorship. "However, like any enterprise, we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into commercial partnership with the show."
One X user asked for clarification on X's decision to cancel their partnership with Lemon, to which Musk directly responded.
"His approach was basically just 'CNN, but on social media,' which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying," Musk wrote. "And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity."
"All this said, Lemon/Zucker are of course welcome to build their viewership on this platform along with everyone else," Musk added.
