Don Lemon sues Elon Musk and X for fraud and breach of contract over axed show

Don Lemon has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and X, formerly known as Twitter, alleging fraud and breach of contract after his show was canceled. The lawsuit claims that Musk and X enticed Lemon into an exclusive deal promising $1.5 million annually, full control over his content, and financial incentives to leverage his reputation and attract advertisers. However, the agreement fell apart following a contentious interview between Lemon and Musk in March 2024, after which Musk informed Lemon's agent that the partnership was canceled, citing the absence of a signed agreement.

The complaint, filed in California, alleges that Musk and X never intended to honor their promises and instead aimed to use Lemon's name to enhance their own reputation amid declining advertising revenue. Lemon claims he incurred significant expenses in establishing his media company, including production costs and hiring staff, and has suffered career damage, financial losses, and emotional distress as a result of the situation. The lawsuit also includes allegations of negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. Lemon's attorney stated that the case is clear-cut, asserting that X's executives exploited Lemon for their advertising strategy before abruptly terminating the partnership. The defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit.