Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has filed a lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk, alleging that Musk made false promises to entice him into a canceled deal to host a show on Musk's social media platform, X. The lawsuit claims that Musk used the news of a partnership with Lemon to boost X's profile, only to renege on the deal without compensating Lemon.
Lemon had incurred significant expenses in preparing for the show, which was ultimately scrapped shortly after the taping of its premiere episode, a one-on-one interview with Musk. Musk later stated that Lemon's approach was not what he had envisioned for the platform, likening it to "CNN, but on social media," which he believed would not work.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, accuses Musk and his co-defendants of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, misappropriation of name and likeness, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment. Lemon's attorney stated that X executives used Lemon to prop up their advertising sales pitch, only to cancel the partnership and damage Lemon's reputation.
The lawsuit alleges that Lemon, a "top prospect" for Musk and X after leaving CNN, was rushed into agreeing to the partnership and was ultimately not compensated as promised. Despite allegedly being assured of a $1.5 million payment and other financial perks for a one-year deal, Lemon claims he has not received any compensation to date.
The lawsuit paints a picture of a partnership that went sour, with Lemon feeling misled and used by Musk and X executives. Lemon's attorney expressed confidence in their case and stated that Lemon is committed to defending his reputation in court. The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen as both parties prepare for a potential trial.