Ousted CNN anchor Don Lemon had a tentative deal to host a new show on Elon Musk’s X platform — but according to a recent report, the whole thing might have fallen apart over Lemon’s “diva demands.”
The New York Post reported that, among other things, Lemon had demanded some control over other news content that might make its way onto the platform — and had aspirations of hosting the “first podcast in space.”
The alleged list of demands, according to The Post, included “a free Tesla Cybertruck, a $5 million upfront payment on top of an $8 million salary, an equity stake in the multibillion-dollar company, and the right to approve any changes in X policy as it relates to news content.”
Lemon also reportedly wanted to helm the “first podcast in space,” suggesting that Musk use SpaceX to make that happen.
Lemon had also set up an interview with Musk — which was initially set to air as his debut episode — and had reportedly attached another list of demands to their planned meeting in Las Vegas. Among those were a suite, drinks, and massages for Lemon and his fiancé — and a private jet flight on X’s dime.
Despite knowing about the demands at the time of their interview, Musk agreed to do it anyway — but cut ties with Lemon afterward, calling him “underwhelming.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
In the days since, Lemon has blown off claims that he had asked for such things – but he didn’t deny them outright.
“That is nonsense. People negotiate all the time, but that’s, come on,” Lemon told Mediaite’s Aidan McLaughlin. “It’s obviously a deflection. Because it has nothing to do with the interview, and I’m not going to fall into that. I don’t read the New York Post, but I do love their horoscopes. It’s great. I’m a Pisces, by the way, so you can read my horoscope to know what’s going on in my life.”
A number of clips of the interview have since been released and gone viral.