Twitter/X-owner Elon Musk has cancelled a new talk show hosted by former CNN anchor Don Lemon, which was due to premiere on X’s ‘Spaces’ video service.
Lemon interviewed Musk for the premiere of the show.
In preview clips from the interview shared online, Lemon was seen pressing Musk on racist rhetoric prevalent on X and whether Musk felt responsibility for it.
Lemon called the chat “testy” and said in a CNN interview that Musk was “as upset and he was uncomfortable” during the 90-minute exchange.
“Elon Musk has cancelled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of the public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on the platform,” wrote Lemon.
Lemon continued: “Elon publicly encouraged me to join X with a new show, saying it would have his ‘full support,” and that his ‘digital town square is for all’.
“He and his team pursued the deal in numerous conversations and made significant commitments about the support X would provide for the show.
“I made the decision to work with them in a unique partnership which I believed would ultimately assure that my work would be available to most people, in the largest possible venue.
“I took Elon and his management team’s word that they, for the first time, were interested in working directly with new and diverse voices.”
News from me…#TheDonLemonShow pic.twitter.com/PzlKuvkZtj
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
Musk has touted X’s streaming service Spaces as a way to increase engagement on the social media platform he bought for over $50 billion.
Lemon’s interview with Musk will be released on YouTube on Monday, 18 March.
Lemon closed by stating: “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.”
Musk has not commented publicly on the cancellation, with his X feed on Tuesday primarily consisting of Starship updates and calls to end ‘wokeness’ in the video games industry.