Don Lemon has worked to build his digital program since his high-profile exit from CNN more than two years ago. That growth is starting to pay off, he shared.
The Don Lemon Show launched to much fanfare last year, with an interview with X owner Elon Musk. Musk had inked Lemon to a deal to produce content for the X social media platform, but then renegged after that initial interview.
In that debut episode, Lemon participated in a contentious exchange with Elon Musk over a variety of issues. The conversation featured more than an hour of dialogue between the two, with Musk famously telling Lemon to “be careful” with his questions.
Before the first episode of the program aired, Lemon revealed that Musk had “canceled the partnership I had with X,” and had “informed me of his decision hours after an interview I conducted with him.” In his defense, Musk argued that Lemon’s interview was “lacking authenticity” and claimed Lemon was asking questions under the direction of former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. Elon Musk added that he felt the interview was “basically just CNN but on social media,” which he did not approve of.
At the time of the cancellation, Elon Musk and his X platform defended the decision.
“X is a platform that champions free speech, and we’re proud to provide an open environment for diverse voices and perspectives. The Don Lemon Show is welcome to publish its content on X, without censorship, as we believe in providing a platform for creators to scale their work and connect with new communities,” a statement from the company read.
“However, like any enterprise, we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships, and after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.”
Don Lemon filed a lawsuit in August of last year alleging fraud, misrepresentation, and misappropriation, and a breach of contract among other items, after he revealed his show that was set to air on the Musk-owned X platform had been cancelled after just one episode. Last month, a judge ruled the lawsuit against Musk could continue.
However, that falling out of over the initial interview and contract with the billionaire hasn’t stunted Lemon’s growth.
In an interview with Variety, Don Lemon shared that he’s well on his way to prosperity, stating that he’s approaching the heights of his earnings at CNN.
“I will say to you that if it stays on the trajectory that it is on now, I will surpass what I was making (at CNN),” Lemon said.
Currently, Don Lemon has nearly 800,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.
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