Judge Rules Don Lemon’s Lawsuit Against Elon Musk and X Can Proceed to Trial
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A San Francisco judge has cleared the way for former CNN anchor Don Lemon’s lawsuit against X owner Elon Musk and the social media company to go to trial, CNBC reports.
Lemon filed suit in August 2024 after Musk abruptly canceled a partnership agreement with the journalist just hours after taping an interview with him. The interview was set to be the debut episode of Lemon’s new show on X (formerly Twitter).
In the lawsuit, Lemon’s legal team alleges “fraud by false promise,” arguing that Elon Musk and X committed to an implied contract promising Lemon full creative control over his content.
Judge Harold Kahn denied Musk’s attempt to move the case to Texas and dismissed efforts to throw out Lemon’s claims. “The ruling means Don can hold X and Musk accountable in open court. Musk is subject to the legal process, just like everyone else, and that’s important,” Lemon’s attorney Carney Shegerian said in a statement.
The $1.5 million lawsuit centers on claims that Musk and X promised Lemon editorial independence for his show, even if Musk or his team objected to the content. However, the agreement was revoked shortly after Lemon pressed Musk on controversial topics in their interview, including Musk’s promotion of far-right conspiracy theories.
Musk later described the interview as “invasive and charged.” Lemon countered that there were no restrictions on what he could ask, saying, “My questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election.”
Both Lemon and Musk have faced public scrutiny in recent years. Musk’s acquisition of X has drawn controversy over his approach to free speech and content moderation, while Lemon was fired from CNN in 2023 following allegations of workplace misconduct and sexist on-air remarks.
The case is now set to proceed in California, where both sides will argue their positions in court.
