Final week, Twitter/X proprietor Elon Musk cancelled the platform’s partnership with former CNN host Don Lemon. This determination got here mere hours after the 2 had filmed an interview for The Don Lemon Present, a brand new discuss present that will have been unique to Twitter/X. 

Now The Don Lemon Present‘s premiere episode has been launched, providing a take a look at the footage that will have prompted Musk to deliver the collaboration to an surprising and abrupt finish. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t the softball, feelgood chat the billionaire had possible been hoping for.

Launched Monday on Twitter/X, YouTube, and as an audio podcast, the hour-long interview started cordially sufficient. Musk largely agreed with Lemon’s characterisation of him as a “free speech absolutist,” including the caveat that he was free of charge speech “as a lot as doable throughout the bounds of the legislation.”

Nevertheless, the interview shortly strayed into extra delicate topics that had Tesla’s CEO noticeably uncomfortable. Musk was demure about his latest assembly with Donald Trump, asserting that the previous president didn’t ask him for cash, however declining to supply any element on precisely what they’d spoken about. Lemon additionally requested Musk about his sobriety when making controversial statements, prompting the latter to disclaim any impairment and state that he makes use of prescription ketamine to assist him get out of a “depressive thoughts state” each different week.

The dialog acquired much more tense when Lemon questioned Musk on his posting habits, significantly his obvious endorsement of the “nice substitute concept” — a conspiracy concept that claims white persons are being purposefully changed by immigrants and folks of color. 

Advertisers fled Twitter/X final yr after Musk appeared to advertise antisemitic conspiracy theories, posting his settlement with a declare that Jewish communities are pushing “hatred in opposition to whites.” Although Musk later mentioned he was sorry if his submit inspired anti-Semites, he refused to delete the submit. 

“I did not name it a ‘conspiracy,'” Musk instructed Lemon, stating that he believes the Democratic get together has an “incentive” to “usher in” undocumented immigrants to assist them win elections. “You do not want a conspiracy in that case as a result of you might have a really fundamental incentive. You could possibly say that I am fallacious about that incentive, however that is my view.”

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Lemon then questioned Musk a couple of Twitter/X submit which used the phrase “Hispanic invasion,” which he reportedly quoted and shared.

“If I quote one thing, it does not imply I agree with all the pieces in it,” mentioned Musk. “It is simply one thing that I need — I feel that is one thing price — individuals ought to contemplate.”

“Why would you quote one thing that you simply did not imagine in?” requested Lemon.

“As a result of something I quote is gonna have a complete vary of statements,” Musk replied. “It does not imply I agree with all the pieces in it.”

Musk did not present any additional readability as to why he believed “Hispanic invasion” an thought price contemplating. He additionally reacted poorly to Lemon’s suggestion that Twitter/X may have higher content material moderation, which could have prevented him from having to face reporters asking him about racist conspiracy theories.

“I haven’t got to reply questions from reporters,” mentioned Musk, slicing Lemon off. “Don, the one motive I am doing this interview is since you’re on the X platform and also you requested for it. In any other case I’d not do that interview.”

Contemplating such contentious exchanges, it is no shock Musk terminated Twitter/X’s partnership with Lemon mere hours after the interview concluded.

Musk has been vocal about his newfound disdain for Lemon because the interview was recorded, calling the journalist “a pompous idiot who spouts nonsense.” 

“I welcome the chance to share #TheDonLemonShow on X and I problem you @Elonmusk to truly watch it after which inform me it isn’t precisely what you mentioned you need in your platform,” Lemon posted in response.