Don Lemon files $1.5 million lawsuit against Elon Musk over scrapped talk show deal on X

Former CNN anchor claims Musk owes him millions for a canceled social media show.

Don Lemon, former CNN anchor, has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, accusing the tech billionaire of fraud over money he believes he is owed from his now-defunct talk show on X. 

According to documents obtained by Page Six, Lemon, 58, filed the suit in the Superior Court of California on Thursday, alleging he was guaranteed $1.5 million for a one-year deal. 

Lemon claims the agreement included $200,000 up-front, with incentives to renew twice under the same terms and receive 60 percent of gross ad revenue. 

Additionally, the deal purportedly included $500,000 in advertising credits on X and substantial "performance" payouts based on follower growth.

In January, following his firing from CNN amid various scandals, Lemon announced his own show on the social media platform. 

Two months later, he sat down with Musk for an interview that quickly turned contentious when Lemon questioned Musk about advertisers boycotting X over censorship issues. 

Musk, 53, warned Lemon to "choose your question carefully" as the interview neared its end. 

Shortly after, Musk canceled the show, tweeting, "We reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships," and criticizing "The Don Lemon Show" as "CNN, but on social media."

Lemon's lawsuit claims that Musk never paid him despite allegedly using his name and brand to attract advertisers to the platform. 

The complaint alleges that Musk provided "false and inconsistent reasons for refusing to pay Lemon," contradicting previous statements to Lemon's agent. 

Complicating matters, Lemon never signed any paperwork, as Musk purportedly said there was "no need." 

Lemon’s lawyer, Carney Shegerian, stated, “X executives used Don to prop up their advertising sales pitch, then canceled their partnership and dragged Don’s name through the mud.”

The suit argues that Musk and his co-defendants displayed a "reckless disregard of Lemon’s rights" and made false promises, causing both economic and non-economic damage to Lemon and his reputation. 

In addition to fraud, Lemon is seeking damages for breach of contract, misappropriation of name and likeness, unjust enrichment, and other claims.