Don Lemon found himself in a whirlwind of controversy yet again, this time before his anticipated debut on X.

Elon Musk abruptly pulled the plug on “The Don Lemon Show” just hours after the canned CNN anchor sat down for an interview with the tech magnate, intended to be his inaugural episode on the platform, Lemon revealed on Wednesday.

In a statement shared on social media, Lemon expressed disappointment over Musk’s decision: “Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X. There were no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to, and my questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election. We had a good conversation. Clearly, he felt differently.”

Musk swiftly responded, criticizing Lemon’s approach to the show and questioning its authenticity. “His approach was basically just ‘CNN, but on social media,’ which doesn’t work, as evidenced by the fact that CNN is dying,” Musk stated on X. He further alleged that instead of Lemon’s genuine voice, it was former CNN boss Jeff Zucker’s influence, undermining the show’s credibility.

Sources familiar with the interview remarked on Lemon’s apparent struggle without Zucker’s guidance, describing him as “unpolished” and “underwhelming.” Lemon’s interview style lacked the edginess and intrigue expected, as he failed to delve into controversial topics such as Musk’s ex-girlfriend, Amber Heard.

Despite Lemon’s efforts to touch on sensitive subjects like Musk’s drug use and legal battles, the interview fell short of expectations. Musk, who had recruited Lemon to attract more left-leaning voices to the platform, abruptly ended the partnership just before the show’s debut.

The terms of their agreement remain undisclosed, but Lemon’s sudden termination could potentially result in legal ramifications for Musk. Lemon, who reportedly negotiated a $24.5 million payout with CNN over his dismissal, accused Musk of reneging on his commitment to free speech and amplifying diverse voices on the platform.

While Lemon expressed disappointment over the turn of events, he affirmed that the first episode, originally scheduled to stream on X, would still air on YouTube. X, in a statement, emphasized its commitment to free speech but clarified its decision not to pursue a commercial partnership with “The Don Lemon Show.”

In a separate video on X, Lemon voiced his disappointment, highlighting Musk’s alleged hypocrisy regarding free speech. The controversy surrounding Musk’s drug use, recently reported by The Wall Street Journal, added further fuel to the situation.

Lemon’s brief stint with X comes on the heels of his dismissal from CNN, where he spent 17 years before his departure. Reports suggest that Chris Licht, Zucker’s successor, soured on Lemon’s behavior both on and off-screen, leading to his exit from the network. Lemon’s rocky tenure at CNN included on-air controversies and backstage clashes, ultimately culminating in his departure.