Don Lemon’s Lawsuit Against Elon Musk Can Move To Trial
Don Lemon’s lawsuit against Elon Musk and his social network X over the cancellation of their partnership can proceed to trial, a San Francisco judge ruled this week. CNBC reported that Musk’s team had attempted to transfer the case to a Texas court and sought to persuade the judge to dismiss the complaint altogether.
Judge Harold Kahn said in an order on Tuesday that Lemon and his attorneys plausibly alleged, along with other claims, that X and Musk had committed “fraud by false promise” and that there was “an implied contract” between the two.
Don Lemon’s lawsuit against Musk and X
According to the lawsuit, Musk and X agreed to a content partnership with Lemon in January 2024, where Lemon was to host an exclusive interview show and produce original content for the platform.
However, Musk allegedly canceled the partnership after a tense interview with Lemon, during which he was asked about topics he had posted or amplified on X. Musk promoted the so-called “great replacement theory,” and other bigoted opinions, including posts that stated there was a “Hispanic invasion” of immigrants to the US.
Lemon’s attorneys claim that Musk backed out of the agreement just hours after the interview took place. The lawsuit claims that this sudden termination caused significant reputational damage to Lemon and amounted to a breach of the express contract.
What is Lemon seeking?
Lemon is seeking unspecified monetary damages for the alleged fraud and breach of contract.
“X executives used Don to prop up their advertising sales pitch, then canceled their partnership and dragged Don’s name through the mud,” said Lemon’s attorney, Carney Shegerian, in a statement according to Variety.
Lemon’s case against Musk and X will take place in the San Francisco Superior Court. A trial date has not been set yet.
Image: Evan Agostini / Invision/AP
