Former CNN host Don Lemon might have lost his exclusive X show deal with Elon Musk in ignominious fashion, but that's not going to stop him from milking the situation for every last drop of clout.
Following Lemon's ouster from CNN in April 2023, he and Musk reached an agreement under which Lemon would host a new show on the billionaire's social media platform X, similar to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's show.
However, before the show was set to debut, Lemon released a lengthy statement on social media announcing it had been canceled after a "tense" interview with Musk.
News from me…#TheDonLemonShow pic.twitter.com/PzlKuvkZtj
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 13, 2024
The two of them went back and forth on X a few times, with Musk saying he canceled the show because it would just be "CNN, but on social media" rather than the "real Don Lemon," and Lemon and his team accusing X of acting on the whims of Musk.
The interview ultimately was released Monday on X and YouTube for the world to see.
The Don Lemon Show episode 1: Elon Musk
TIMESTAMPS:
(02:23) News on X
(10:07) Donald Trump and Endorsing a Candidate
(13:04) The New Tesla Roadster
(16:46) Relaxation and Video Games
(17:54) Tweeting and Drug Use
(23:19) The Great Replacement Theory
(30:03) Content Moderation… pic.twitter.com/bLRae4DhyO
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) March 18, 2024
Lemon, though, still can't stop complaining.
Going to entertainment publication The Wrap, he is now accusing X of "suppressing" the Musk video.
The entertainment outlet apparently agreed, saying the interview was "almost impossible to find on the platform" and had only "400,000 views" after its release Monday morning.
"It would seem to defy credulity that if 21 million people engaged with my post on X announcing my new show, that only a few hundred thousand would be interested in the interview on X as of this afternoon," Lemon told The Wrap. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
His representative was less diplomatic, saying, "X is obviously suppressing free speech. Don’s interview was suppressed by X so less people view it."
By Tuesday afternoon, however, the total "views" had reached 1.4 million, undercutting suppression claims.
(It's worth mentioning that X does not provide any information about what constitutes a "view." However, it's safe to say only a tiny fraction of any "view" total watched the entire video on the platform.)
Moreover, Lemon's video received similarly little interest on its first day on YouTube, the platform he probably believes would treat him more favorably.
As the official X News account said on Monday while sharing The Wrap's article, "No suppression here-- X believes in free speech. You might want to check YouTube, there’s only 188K views!"
No suppression here-- X believes in free speech. You might want to check YouTube, there’s only 188K views! https://t.co/PtajB8COb3
— News (@XNews) March 18, 2024
For Lemon, this apparently isn't about "free speech" or "suppression."
Rather, it seems this brief partnership with X was meant to be a publicity stunt that he would blow up for headlines.
However, based on the comments his interview has received, it might not be blowing up exactly the way Lemon wanted.
X users called the former CNN host "condescending," an "activist pretending to be a journalist" and "antagonistic and rude," among other things.
You're an activist pretending to be a journalist.
— Tilty (@PtTilty) March 18, 2024
This one one of the most painfully watched interviews I've ever seen. You're constantly condescending, smug, and asking loaded questions as if this were a deposition rather than an interview. If you want to know if this type of "journalism" is going to survive past the legacy…
— Final Cut MI🇺🇲 (@FinalCutTile) March 18, 2024
This interview is antagonistic and rude. I completely see why Elon decided to go in another direction. It was not hard hitting journalism but rather an attempt at a “got ya” session by Don that he is trying to squeeze for every last bit of attention. The ride is almost over,…
— Stank_Face (@DC__2112) March 18, 2024
But Lemon claimed to want free speech, didn't he?
He can't say he didn't get it.
