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Within the aftermath of his new present’s abrupt cancelation on X, Don Lemon criticized Elon Musk for probably not desirous to ‘hear totally different opinions,’ as a result of he is caught in a right-wing ‘echo chamber.’
In an interview that was launched Wednesday, the previous CNN host mentioned his fallout with Musk on the Press Membership podcast with Aidan McLaughlin.
Earlier this month, Lemon’s new X present, ‘The Don Lemon Present,’ was abruptly canceled by Musk, whose firm had entered right into a industrial cope with the previous prime-time anchor.
Musk stated he opted in opposition to shifting ahead with the partnership as a result of Lemon’s present turned out to be ‘mainly simply CNN, however on social media,’ although a lot of reviews swirled about different potential causes Musk may’ve pulled the plug.
Talking with McLaughlin within the wake of the deal’s collapse, Lemon stated that regardless of courting him as a result of he allegedly needed ‘totally different factors of view on his platform,’ Musk is definitely caught in an ‘echo chamber’ of right-wing opinions.
‘Particularly now on the suitable the place details don’t matter, and so after they really hear somebody talking details, they’ll say, ‘You’re a leftie!’ or ‘You’re in opposition to Elon Musk!’ and it’s like, no, I’m simply difficult you on the reality,’ stated Lemon.
Former CNN host Don Lemon stated Elon Musk exists in a right-wing ‘echo chamber,’ which is why the billionaire was so thrown off by their interview earlier this month that led to the cancelation of Lemon’s present on X
Although Lemon insisted that his private politics are seemingly extra centrist and even right-leaning that the majority would assume based mostly on his public picture and profession up to now.
‘I do suppose my politics are in all probability extra centrist and even typically proper, extra proper than folks would assume. Do I’ve left-leaning politics typically or stances on points? Yeah, I do, however I even have some issues the place I agree with with people on the suitable. I at all times agree with the reality and details,’ he stated.
Regardless of the very public fallout, Lemon will nonetheless be capable to submit his present on X and is shifting ahead with its manufacturing and launch on platforms together with YouTube and iHeartRadio.
Lemon’s present as it might have existed on X was unexpectedly axed by Musk simply hours after the billionaire sat down for an interview with the previous CNN star.
‘We had a great dialog. Clearly he felt in another way,’ Lemon stated in a scathing assertion, by which he stated that he had entered an settlement to stream all of his reveals on Musk’s platform earlier than the rug was pulled.
‘His dedication to a world city sq. the place all questions might be requested and all concepts might be shared appears to not embrace questions of him from folks like me.’
Within the wide-ranging grilling – which at instances sounded extra like a deposition than an interview – Lemon took concern with the Tesla CEO’s stance on woke ideology, racism, trans rights and drug use.
The pair continuously disagreed, and traded barbs about neither having ‘proof’ to again up their claims. Musk instructed him that customers on X would appropriate any discrepancies in actual time as they watched the interview.
When quizzed over his prescription ketamine use, Musk appeared to take offense to Lemon’s questioning and stated it’s ‘fairly personal to ask any individual a few medical prescription.’
Musk has beforehand hailed the advantages of ketamine use for treating despair, and instructed Lemon that these which can be combating their psychological well being ought to ‘speak to their physician about ketamine as a substitute of SSRI’s.’
‘There are occasions when I’ve a damaging chemical state in my mind, like despair I suppose, or despair that is not linked to any damaging information, and ketamine is useful for getting one out of a damaging mind set,’ he added.
When requested if he has ever ‘abused’ the tranquilizing drug, Musk continued: ‘I do not suppose so… when you use an excessive amount of ketamine you’ll be able to’t actually get work accomplished, and I’ve loads of work.’
‘It is a prescription from an actual physician, not a, …’ he added, because the dialog stalled and have become awkward.
‘Placing in 16-hour days, that is regular for me, and it is uncommon for me to even take off a weekend day, so I do not actually have a scenario the place I might be not mentally acute for an prolonged time period.
‘I can not actually get wasted.’
Musk famous that he’ll take a ‘small quantity’ of ketamine each different week on common, and infrequently ‘there will likely be a number of weeks go by that I do not use it.’
Musk and Lemon sat down for his or her interview on Friday, and the previous CNN anchor stated he discovered his present was axed simply hours later
After the cancelation, Lemon claimed that Musk was undercutting his free speech.
The platform’s enterprise account quickly clarified that he can nonetheless share his program on X, however ‘after cautious consideration, X determined to not enter right into a industrial partnership with the present.’
Lemon stated that regardless of the present being cancelled, he would nonetheless air the interview with Musk, which coated a variety of subjects ‘from SpaceX to the presidential election.’
‘This will likely be simply the primary of many episodes of The Don Lemon Present,’ he stated. The interview was posted on March 18.
‘Whereas Elon goes again on his phrase, I will likely be doubling down on my dedication to free speech and I can not wait to get began.’
In response, Musk stated that he determined to axe his partnership with the present after discovering Lemon’s strategy was ‘mainly simply CNN, however on social media.’
‘And, as a substitute of it being the true Don Lemon, it was actually simply Jeff Zucker speaking by means of Don, so lacked authenticity,’ he stated.
A supply added to the New York Put up that Musk was ‘underwhelmed’ on the finish of the present, and canned it after ‘realizing how unhealthy it was.’
‘Don was underwhelming, unprepared and uninteresting,’ the insider continued. Though Swisher claimed they clashed over questions on Musk’s alleged drug use, the supply claimed Lemon did not ask any attention-grabbing or edgy questions.
‘He didn’t ask Musk about (ex-girlfriend) Amber Heard. Elon in all probability would have favored it,’ they added.
‘He was unpolished. He didn’t have producers in his ear. Jeff Zucker was in his ear and he would repeat again every thing he was instructed,’ they stated, noting that Lemon had solely a barebones crew that included his fiancé.
Musk was allegedly angered by Lemon asking about his ketamine utilization
One other former CNN anchor, Brian Stelter, additionally waded into the argument on X, claiming a supply instructed him the interview was ‘like a nasty first date.’
Lemon was ousted from CNN in April 2023 following 17 years with the corporate, after he sparked backlash with a number of controversial remarks, together with branding Nikki Haley ‘previous her prime.’
He additionally confronted allegations from feminine co-workers who claimed that he had a historical past of misogynistic conduct, which he denied.
The X present was meant to be a comeback for Lemon, and he was slated to tape three 30-minute episodes per week. He was recruited for a slate of reveals, with offers additionally just lately handed to Tulsi Gabbard and sports activities host Jim Rome.
It was reported in January that Lemon entered an unique publishing cope with X, which has now seemingly halted monetization he would have acquired. He countered that he’ll now be sharing his content material on YouTube.
After releasing his assertion, Lemon took to X to launch a video of himself strolling by means of New York, the place he claimed Musk was ‘so upset’ about their interview.
‘This doesn’t change something in regards to the present, apart from my relationship with Elon and X,’ he stated.
‘I do know that lots of you weren’t pleased that I used to be doing this within the first place, and also you instructed me so.
‘I simply need you to know that I did this deal as a result of not solely do I imagine in free speech, however I believed that this was my very best probability for the work that I am doing to achieve the biggest quantity of individuals.’
