Elon Musk Teams Up With Don Lemon to Bring Content to Twitter-Alternative Platform
Elon Musk has recently announced that former CNN anchor Don Lemon will be producing exclusive content to be aired on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter.
Lemon Teams up With X
Musk has previously offered both Lemon and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson a platform for their very distinct voices on X following their dismissal from their respective networks.
The decision to bring Lemon to the platform came eight months after Musk first suggested the idea to him, following his firing from CNN.
The X CEO initially shared a post from Democrat commentator Ed Krassenstein, who noted that Lemon would be contributing his opinions in a 30-minute episode three times a week exclusively on the platform. Musk then shared a X Business post announcing the partnership, adding, “Don Lemon show coming to X!”
In a statement released on X, Lemon praised the platform for its free speech stance and embraced it as the most prominent social media company allowing honest debate. “I know no more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
X Business reports that Lemon will “share his unique and honest voice” in multiple episodes per week covering politics, culture, sports, and entertainment. Critics maintain that Lemon doesn’t have an “honest voice.” Fortunately, X has their fact-checking feature known as Community Notes, which will undoubtedly be getting a workout upon his arrival.
Musk Suggests More Voices Across the Political Spectrum
Musk had said of Carlson around that same time, “On this platform, unlike the one-way street of broadcast, people are able to interact, critique and refute whatever he or anyone may say.” He continued, “And, of course, anything misleading will get @CommunityNotes.”
“I hope that many others, particularly from the left, also choose to be content creators on this platform,” Musk continued, suggesting that his ultimate goal is to facilitate various voices across the political spectrum to bring diverse perspectives to X.
On Tuesday, Musk also shared a post announcing that Lemon joins Carlson, sports personality Jim Rome, and Tulsi Gabbard as four major voices producing exclusive content on the platform.
Lemon’s Controversial Past
Lemon found himself in hot water with CNN earlier this year after accusing GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who had just announced her campaign for the White House at 51 years old, and other women in their 40s and 50s of being “past their prime.” The comments left female viewers and his co-anchors a little shocked.
Shortly thereafter, a report from Variety claimed the CNN host had a history of engaging in misogynistic and “diva-like” behavior, even outlining an instance in which he reportedly sent threatening texts to a female colleague.
Shortly thereafter, Lemon tangled with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in a tense interview in which he mischaracterized the GOP presidential candidate’s comments on the Civil War, reduced him to “whatever ethnicity you are,” and insisted that black people don’t enjoy freedom in America.
Now Lemon will be free to make inane comments on X without fear of being punished for exercising free speech.
The Big Picture
The decision to bring Lemon and others to X is a strategic attempt to diversify the platform and offer more nuanced opinions to the public. While Lemon has faced criticism for certain comments in the past, Musk’s goal is to offer space to voices across the political spectrum to engage in debates and discussions without the supervision of traditional media companies.
Lemon’s announcement comes on the heels of Musk’s initiative to bring more diverse voices to the social media platform. It remains to be seen how X will navigate potential controversies that may arise from opinions and comments made by Lemon and other commentators on the platform. Nonetheless, this partnership represents a significant shift in social media dynamics, providing a space for varying perspectives and opinions to coexist.
