In a shocking development, former CNN anchor Don Lemon’s bold demands—such as a Tesla Cybertruck, a $5 million advance, and X equity—resulted in his sudden firing by Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and X’s owner.
These demands emerged during talks for Lemon to host a show on X. However, the deal fell apart soon after a Musk-Lemon interview.
A List of Lavish Demands
Don Lemon’s demands to Elon Musk were extravagant. In negotiations for a show on X, he wanted a Tesla Cybertruck, $5 million upfront, an $8 million salary, company equity, and control over X’s news policy changes. His December proposal also sought a private jet to Las Vegas, a luxury suite, and expenses for day drinking and massages.
Despite knowing Lemon’s demands, Musk interviewed him for X’s first episode. The partnership was publicized in January without a solid deal, and Musk fired Lemon shortly after their meeting, labeling him “dull” and “underwhelming.”
Elon Musk absolutely DESTROYED Don Lemon in his interview. Here’s a snippet. Watch it. pic.twitter.com/0V93RooPAy
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 14, 2024
The Interview That Ended It All
The interview, featuring tense discussions on Musk’s politics, drug history, and content policy, airs on YouTube next week. Lemon says Musk fired him for backpedaling on “free speech.” Musk retorted, branding Lemon a “tool” and likening him to the greedy Veruca Salt from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Legal and Public Reactions
After the fallout, Lemon’s spokesperson denied the demands attributed to him. Musk criticized Lemon on X, dismissing his approach as “CNN on social media,” deemed ineffective. Despite the show’s cancellation, Lemon insists it will go on, expecting Musk to fulfill the financial agreement.
Conclusion
The incident sparked debates on free speech versus misinformation online. Despite Musk’s “free speech absolutist” claim, his actions, like firing Lemon, seem contradictory. The legal and public fallout from this high-profile case is under close scrutiny.