Former CNN host Don Lemon announced last week that he is returning with a new show on X. Furthermore, Elon Musk reportedly incurred a substantial cost for Lemon’s new program on the platform.
In the most recent episode of her Pivot podcast, Kara Swisher shared that she recommended to the former CNN anchor not to collaborate with Musk.
“I knew a lot about this because I talked to Don about it quite a bit,” Swisher said. “I had other suggestions for him. I suggested he do a deal with Ben Shapiro or go the Megyn Kelly route. I didn’t think this was a good idea. So that that’s just full disclosure. And I told him so, and I said, get the money upfront. I just don’t think it’s going to go well for you on this platform. But he did it.”
The collaboration between Musk and Lemon may not have appealed to Swisher but she knows Lemon was well compensated for taking the risk.
“I think they paid Don a pile of money,” Swisher added. “I know they did, a pile of money up front. He has a lot of money. When they fired him, I think they had to pay out his contract.”
Lemon will be making his broadcasting return in the form of a thrice-weekly show on X.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
