Elon Musk and Don Lemon's legal disagreement advances, set for trial proceedings
In a significant development, Don Lemon's lawsuit against Elon Musk and media company X is set to proceed to trial in San Francisco Superior Court, following a ruling by Judge Harold E. Kahn. The judge rejected Musk's attempts to dismiss the case or move it to Texas [1][2][3][4].
The lawsuit, filed by Lemon in August 2024, accuses Musk and X of breach of contract, fraud by false promise, misrepresentation, and misappropriation. The allegations centre around the sudden cancellation of a $1.5 million annual content deal, intended to launch *The Don Lemon Show* exclusively on X. Lemon's team had invested significantly in production and preparation for the show [1][2][3].
Despite no formal written agreement, Lemon claims the contract was implied through mutual understanding and actions. Musk had verbally agreed to compensate Lemon $1.5 million annually with additional payments based on advertising revenue, but after the cancellation, Lemon alleges he received no payment [2][3][4].
Lemon is seeking unspecified monetary damages for the breach and related issues. He also accuses Musk of retaliating by abruptly cancelling the show [1][2]. Judge Kahn has ruled that Lemon's claims, including "fraud by false promise," are plausible enough to proceed to trial. However, a jury trial date has not yet been set.
The case will remain in San Francisco Superior Court, and Musk’s attempts to have the case dismissed or moved to Texas were denied [1][2][3]. The trial for Lemon's case against Musk and X will take place in the San Francisco Superior Court, with no trial date announced yet.
It is important to note that this article does not provide any new information about Musk's promotion of bigoted opinions, or the alleged cancellation of the partnership just hours after the interview took place.
[1] Variety [2] The Hollywood Reporter [3] Deadline [4] CNN Business
(Image courtesy of Evan Agostini / Invision/AP)
The upcoming trial in San Francisco Superior Court will feature entertainment champion Don Lemon's lawsuit against Elon Musk and media company X, with plausible claims of breach of contract, fraud, and retaliation surrounding the cancelled $1.5 million annual content deal for Lemon's show. This trial, initially filed in August 2024, will also encompass allegations of politics and general news manipulation, as Musk's actions are believed to have influenced the show's cancellation.
