Don Lemon highlights alarming change to X’s terms of service as he leaves the platform

The former CNN anchor delivered the news in a video posted on X on Wednesday

Mike Bedigan
New York
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:38 GMT
Comments
Don Lemon announces he will be leaving X
Don Lemon announces he will be leaving X (2021 Invision)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Don Lemon has announced that he will be leaving X due to his belief that the platform no longer serves the purpose of being a place for “honest debate and discussion, transparency and free speech” – and because of a specific new rule the platform, formerly known as Twitter, is introducing.

The former CNN anchor, who has clashed with the platform’s ownerElon Musk previously, delivered the news in a video posted on X on Wednesday, while highlighting several concerning changes to the terms of service of the company.

“I have loved connecting with all of you on Twitter and then on X for all of these years, but it’s time for me to leave the platform,” Lemon said.

“I once believed that it was a place for honest debate and discussion, transparency and free speech, but I now feel it does not serve that purpose.”

Lemon then highlighted changes to the terms and service, effective from November 15, which state that, among other things, disputes that arise between users and X as a company will be governed by “the laws of the State of Texas.”

All disputes, the terms state, “shall be brought exclusively in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, or state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas.”

The Washington Post has recently reported that the decision to change the terms of service on X is an attempt to ensure that such lawsuits will be heard in courthouses that are a “hub for conservatives.”

It is believed that the decision was made by Musk to make it easier for X to shield itself from litigation.

Lemon’s departure comes several months after he and Musk butted heads over a failed talk show that was supposed to air on the social media platform
Lemon’s departure comes several months after he and Musk butted heads over a failed talk show that was supposed to air on the social media platform (Getty Images)

“I think that speaks for itself,” Lemon said, adding that in future he would be sharing content on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

Lemon’s departure comes several months after he and Musk butted heads over a failed talk show that was supposed to air on the social media platform, which resulted in a lawsuit.

Attorneys representing Lemon filed the lawsuit on August 1 in the Superior Court of California and accused Musk of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, misappropriation of Lemon’s name and likeness and a breach of express contract.

Musk – who has been appointed to lead a new waste-cutting department by president-elect Donald Trump – later responded to a post on X about the lawsuit, writing: “He made a series of impressively insane demands. We declined. Therefore, there was no deal.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in