Don Lemon is suing Elon Musk after his X program was abruptly canceled after one episode… and now claims he was never properly compensated.
The longtime newsman filed a complaint against the tech CEO on Thursday, alleging that EM refused to pay him after their arrangement broke apart. According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Elon made a verbal pledge to pay DL $1.5 million per year to create videos for X… as a method to attract diminishing advertisers.
Don alleges he was also promised a percentage of advertising money and other cash incentives if his presence on X (previously Twitter) grew — but Elon allegedly reneged on that deal, which Don feels is illegal.
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While Don alleges in the documents that he did not have a written contract, he claims Elon promised him over the phone about all of these purported pledges — and allegedly stated that he would continue to financially fund DL even if he did not like the material.
However, as many acquainted with the story will know, this contract quickly fell apart following a catastrophic interview between Don and Elon (Don’s first official project with X), in which the Tesla CEO replied poorly to queries regarding drug usage and politics.
Elon later claimed on X that he cancelled the project because Don had a “dying” approach to journalism.
However, Don argues that his future on X was already jeopardized prior to the interview with Elon.
Don claims he was pressured to reveal his new relationship with X during CES, a renowned technology conference in Las Vegas. DL alleges his contract was to be withdrawn if he did not attend the conference with X CEO Linda Yaccarino.
Don’s lawyer, Carney Shegerian, states that “X’s executives used Don to prop up their advertising sales pitch, then canceled their partnership and dragged Don’s name through the mud.” Don is suing for fraud, negligent misrepresentation, misappropriation of name and likeness, violation of contract, and other claims. He is claiming damages.
We’ve reached out to Elon for comment; so far, no response.
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