by Tierra Smith

July 15, 2025

Essence Festival Still Had Its Moments Despite Reported Hiccups

Essence delivered on activations and moments that attendees indulged and enjoyed.

Essence Festival has served as a celebration of Black culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship for over 30 years. However, for 2025, the event sparked more critical conversations—both online and in person—than usual.

Attendees expressed concerns about disorganization, the reduced number of vendors, and technical issues with the festival’s mobile app. At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which hosted free daytime events like the Food & Wine Festival, Film Festival, and Wellness House, participants noted a lighter atmosphere with fewer sponsors and giveaways.

Social media buzz centered around concerns about corporate sponsors, such as Target, and how the festival represented the broader African diaspora. Artists, including Muni Long and Stephanie Mills, criticized the logistical challenges, amplifying broader dissatisfaction.

Festival organizers acknowledged a decline in attendance and ticket sales compared to previous years and publicly apologized for poor communication.

Still, despite criticism, Essence Fest 2025, powered by Essence and other brands capitalizing on the annual event, delivered activations and moments that attendees enjoyed and indulged in.

Black-Owned Shopping

The SOKO MRKT and BEAUTYCON served as premier destinations to support Black-owned businesses across fashion, wellness, arts, and beauty. Standout brands such as SheaMoisture, LYS Beauty, and Yelle Skincare anchored the experiences.

Fab Boutique & Etc. made a bold statement with its curated pieces at the SOKO Market during Essence Fest 2025 in New Orleans.

Vontélle Eyewear co-founder Tracy Green showcases one of her favorite collections—DEEMED, a nostalgic flip-up aviator line inspired by Dwayne Wayne of A Different World, created in partnership with Kadeem Hardison. — Fab Boutique & Etc. made a bold statement with its curated pieces at the SOKO Market during Essence Fest 2025 in New Orleans.

It was refreshing to discover a plethora of new gems like Florae, The Krown Kollection, Alexis Gift Quilts, A Tribe Called Phresh, Waistbee, and other emerging brands.

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Cruising Down Canal St.

Whether driving, hopping on a streetcar, or taking a stroll, Canal Street is a must-visit and major corridor of downtown New Orleans.

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As a trip sponsor, Infiniti provided exclusive rides throughout New Orleans in the luxe QX80 sports utility vehicle, a full-size vehicle equipped with a panoramic sunroof, massage chairs, heated and cooled seats, and an in-car cooler. With its presidential view and premium features, the QX80 ride down Canal St. was a stylish way to explore the culture, architecture, and Black-owned businesses that define New Orleans.

The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80 blends bold luxury with intuitive technology and key features, including 14.3-inch displays, Klipsch audio, biometric cooling, and massage seating for all rows.

3. Stars Shone at the Superdome

The Caesars Superdome was lit from Friday, July 4, to Sunday, July 6, with a star-studded mix of musical eras where nostalgia met the modern.

On Friday, CoCo Jones wowed the audience with flawless vocals, solidifying her place as one of the hottest voices in R&B. GloRilla brought raw energy and Memphis grit, and the Isley Brothers reminded the crowd why they are timeless with smooth vocals, electrifying melodies, and stage presence.

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Saturday night was a love letter to Philly soul. Jill Scott headlined with a powerful 3-part set that took us deep into her poetic catalog while honoring her hometown sisters, Patti LaBelle and Jazmine Sullivan.

In his farewell performance on Sunday, Master P proved why No Limit is iconic. P turned the Superdome into a NOLA takeover with hits like “Make ‘Em Say Uhh” and “Bounce Dat Azz.” he was joined on stage by Lil Romeo, Silk the Shocker, Dru Hill, Sisqó, Keri Hilson, and the No Limit Soldiers.

The night also featured a tribute to the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, curated by Adam Blackstone, which included performances by Yolanda Adams, Deborah Cox, Andra Day, Keke Palmer, India Shawn, Tamar Braxton, Brittney Spencer, and Chanté Moore. Jermaine Dupri also produced a Quincy Jones tribute, with performances from Xscape, Robin Thicke, Tyrese, MC Lyte, LL Cool J, Al B. Sure, The Pharcyde, Mobb Deep, and SWV.

Jazmine Sullivan lit up the Essence Fest 2025 stage with powerhouse vocals and soul-stirring energy.

4. Flavorful Foods

From street food to fine dining, New Orleans’ culinary scene never misses. There are Black-owned coffee shops to start your mornings with New Orleans-inspired drinks, such as the Praline Au Lait, a latte with a house-made hazelnut praline syrup.

St. Noir is a Black-owned coffee shop serving bold brews and even bolder community vibes in New Orleans.

Daisy Dukes is a great spot for traditional po’boys, and Melba’s serves classic New Orleans dishes. Péché is known for fresh seafood; Commander’s Palace is a five-star fine-dining establishment; and any one of Larry Morrow’s restaurants is a good choice: Morrow’s, Sun Chong, or Monday. Morrow celebrated the grand opening of his latest cocktail bar, Spicy Mango.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 14, 2025

Trey Songz Under Investigation For Assaulting Cameraman Hired To Film Event

Trey Songz is being accused of physically assaulting a cameraman in New York.

Trey Songz is facing new legal trouble after a cameraman accused the singer of physically assaulting him in an incident reportedly captured on video.

Isaa Mansoor shared video footage with TMZ of a violent encounter with Trey Songz that took place on July 13 at The Ivy in Huntington, New York. The venue owner had hired Mansoor to photograph and film the event, where Songz was allegedly booked to perform.

Tensions flared when Songz allegedly stepped in front of The Ivy’s logo for photos and was quickly surrounded by fans asking for pictures. According to reports, the “Birthday Song” singer grew visibly frustrated as the crowd grew. In the chaos, a woman can be heard yelling at someone before a scuffle breaks out, at which point Songz allegedly turned his anger toward Mansoor, who was filming the scene.

Video footage shows Songz, real name Tremaine Neverson, approaching Mansoor and knocking his camera to the ground. When the venue owner stepped in to defend the cameraman, saying, “That’s my guy,” Songz allegedly snapped back, “I don’t give a f***,” and got in the owner’s face with a clenched fist.

Mansoor claims the singer punched him in the side of the head, slammed him against a wall, and destroyed two of his cameras during the altercation. After the scene cleared, Mansoor called the police and filed a report, prompting an investigation.

He later went to the emergency room, where he underwent a CT scan and X-rays. He says the incident left him with a concussion, severe migraine, and ankle pain, all of which required pain medication for treatment.

This marks the latest in a string of violent incidents involving Songz that have led to legal action. In March, a jury trial date was set for March 2026 in a civil case where Songz is expected to testify in his defense. The plaintiff alleges that Songz and his security team assaulted him after he attempted to rescue his wife, who had reported being held against her will at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Nov. 28, 2021.

Claressa Shields, free agent, history, multi-fight contract, $8 million, Papoose

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 14, 2025

Claressa Shields Responds To Laila Ali’s Fight Consideration ‘I’m The Greatest Now’

Laila Ali would consider fighting Claressa Shields if the price tag reaches $15 million.

Laila Ali says she’s down to fight Claressa Shields for the right price, which prompted a response from the Olympian, who declared, “I’m the greatest now.”

Talk of a potential fight reignited after Ali said in a recent interview that she’d be willing to come out of retirement to face Shields if the payday is between $15 and $20 million.

“The rumor that I heard is that unless somebody has $15, $20 million, don’t even call me [about a fight against Shields]. That’s all I got,” Ali said in a clip shared online.

Laila Ali says she’ll come out of retirement to fight Claressa Shields for $15–$20 million. pic.twitter.com/vTVPQNBP3b
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 13, 2025

The undefeated retired champ stood firm on her multimillion-dollar demand, making it clear that unless her price range is met, there’s no chance of seeing her step back into the ring.

“I said unless somebody calls me and says they have it, we’re not even gonna have a conversation,” Ali declared. “I’m not trying to come back and fight, but if someone offered that kind of money, I would actually have to think about it.”

Never one to hold her tongue, Shields fired back as soon as she heard about Ali’s offer, telling Muhammad Ali’s daughter she’s not afraid to step in the ring because she’s “been ready.”

“What a great weekend of boxing 🥊! Really motivated! Now @TheRealLailaAli, I’m the GREATEST NOW!” Shields tweeted. “Be careful what you ask for! You know I’ve been wanting to make you eat your words! You not a better boxer than me & at 175, I’ll put you on your back! BEEN READY FOR YOU!”

https://twitter.com/Claressashields/status/1944363150129737866

It would be a fight for the history books. Ali hasn’t stepped into the ring since her 2007 retirement, leaving with an undefeated 24-0 record. Widely celebrated as one of the greatest female boxers ever and the daughter of the legendary G.O.A.T., Muhammad Ali, her return would command global attention, no matter who she faces.

Shields proudly calls herself the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time), and her record backs it up. A two-time Olympic gold medalist from the 2012 and 2016 Games, Shields is a former unified super middleweight champion and a current multi-division titleholder.

She holds the record for becoming a two-, three-, four-, and five-division world champion in the fewest professional bouts. Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Shields has only suffered one loss in her entire career, a moment she candidly revisited in her 2024 biopic, The Fire Inside.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 14, 2025

Black Family Accuses Georgia Mall Employee Of Discrimination Against Disabled Son

The family has plans to take legal action against Cumberland mall.

A Black family has alleged that a mall employee in Georgia discriminated against their disabled son.

The Crump family was headed to Cumberland Mall on July 11 when an employee approached them about their wheelchair-bound son. The family was told that the 32-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, could not be with them inside the mall.

The Crumps were there to sell their sanitary napkin products for their company called Reign. They told WSB-TV that they won a pitch competition that allowed them to sell the items at the mall during the MLB All-Star Weekend. The mall is located near Atlanta’s Truist Park, where the baseball games are taking place.

However, their plans were cut short by the alleged discrimination against their loved ones. They claim that mall management offered only one solution: one parent could stay inside while the other takes their son elsewhere.

“You’re saying that my son has to leave. And he’s like, ‘Yes,’ and I’m like, ‘What is he doing?’ This is my child. This is my son. He’s a human being. At this point, I’m really shocked,” explained Desmond Crump Sr.

The family also posted a video while at the mall after a general manager told them to leave.

“I come to y’all with tears in my eyes,” shared the hurt father in the video.

He continued, “You had the general manager of the mall tell us that my son, my son, cannot be in the mall with us this weekend. He’s a part of our company. He’s my son and my family. I find that to be very discriminatory.”

The family claims management did not offer any reasons as to why their son could not stay. However, they believe it was not to draw attention as customers flocked in from the all-star festivities.

Despite this, the family shared their shock and disappointment at the apparent discrimination. They further asserted that their son has always traveled with them and is an integral part of their company.

“So the Cumberland mall, I want to let you all know it’s not the end because of what y’all have done today,” added Crump Sr. “I felt it was very discriminatory that we have to leave now because my son, who’s in a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, who works with us [and is] a part of our family, he goes everywhere with us. He’s a man. To be treated that way, it’s heartbreaking.”

As a video of the family recalling their experience made rounds on social media, a spokesperson for Cumberland Mall released a statement expressing regret. The representative called the incident “poor communication” and a “misunderstanding” about their son feeling unwelcome.

“This was a deeply unfortunate situation. We are very sorry for our poor communication causing this misunderstanding. We have reached out to Mr. Crump and welcome his family to return to our shopping center,” detailed the spokesperson.

The Crumps, however, refuse to accept the apology. They now plan to seek legal action against Cumberland Mall.

Priscilla Williams-Till, Emmett Till, Senate Bid In Mississippi

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 14, 2025

City of Miami Postpones November Elections By One Year, Giving Elected Officials Extended Terms

Miami elected officials have voted to postpone November elections and extend their terms.

The city of Miami has voted to postpone November 2025 elections to November 2026, in a move that critics are calling a “power grab” by current elected officials.

Miami’s city commission voted 3-2 in a meeting to amend the city’s election bylaws, pushing the municipal races back to 2026, the Guardian reports. Commissioners claim the decision was made to save money and boost voter turnout for higher-profile races, such as those for Congress or the presidency.

However, by granting themselves an extra year in office without seeking voter approval, many see the move as a strategic power play, particularly against candidates who have spent the past year campaigning to replace term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez. Both Mayor Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo are term-limited, yet will receive an extra year in office without voter input. Suarez, a former city commissioner, will now serve a 17th consecutive year at Miami City Hall, while Carollo will enter his ninth.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a warning letter to Suarez on June 26, stating that the plan to change election dates without first seeking voter approval violates both the city and county charters, as well as the state constitution.

“Miami is home to thousands of patriotic Cuban Americans who know better than most about regimes that cavalierly delay elections and prolong their terms in power,” Uthmeier wrote. “The City of Miami owes to its citizens what the law requires.”

The decision has raised concerns among Miami voters, fueling growing frustration in a political climate already tense under a President who frequently hints at the idea of seeking a third term.

“What worries people about this is, we don’t want to give the guy in the White House any ideas,” said John Jackson, a Miami resident and former political operative. Although there’s no viable way to attempt something like this at the federal level. “It still kind of makes people a little worried. I don’t know anyone on any side of the aisle – Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal – who just thinks that this was a good thing.”

HEAD COACH, FOOTBALL.ALABAMA A&M, CONNELL MAYNOR

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 14, 2025

Alabama A&M Makes History With First Woman To Serve As Lead Football Announcer At An HBCU

Thai Floyd will kick off her new role at the start of the 2025 football season.

Alabama A&M University is making strides in diversity. The HBCU has appointed its first woman to become lead football announcer.

Thai Floyd will begin the 2025 football season in this historic role. Floyd is already familiar with HBCU sports, as the Florida A&M alumna will bring her talents as a broadcast journalist to the field.

Previously, Floyd worked as a digital media specialist for the Bulldogs in Alabama A&M’s Athletics department. Now, she will take on a vocal role within its football program as A&M competes in the SWAC tournament.

Floyd expressed her gratitude for the job promotion on X, emphasizing how this move propels women to even bigger stages in sports journalism.

Honored to push the needle forward for women in sports while representing the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. Black women remain underrepresented in this arena—and I’m proud to be the change I want to see. 🎙️ https://t.co/e4drd9RVWc
— Thai Ali Floyd (@thaialifloyd) July 12, 2025

“Honored to push the needle forward for women in sports while representing the Alabama A&M Bulldogs,” shared Floyd to X. ” Black women remain underrepresented in this arena—and I’m proud to be the change I want to see.”

According to Awful Announcing, Floyd brings a wealth of experience to her new role as a play-by-play commentator. With appearances on NBC Sports Philadelphia, HBCU Legends on Sports Illustrated, and ESPN’s Andscape, Floyd also worked as an in-game host for the Florida Classic and a sideline reporter for the Black College Hall of Fame Game.

Floyd will not only be the first woman at Alabama A&M to hold this title. She is also the first woman to work as a lead football announcer at any HBCU. Of this feat, she called the matter a “dream realized” as she establishes herself in HBCU sports history.

“This opportunity is a dream realized, and I’m deeply grateful to be trusted with it,” stated Floyd, as reported by HBCU Gameday. “To be the first woman to serve as the full-time voice of Alabama A&M football — and possibly the first to hold this role at any HBCU—is bigger than me. It’s about legacy, representation, and reminding young Black girls that we belong in every room, every booth, every broadcast.”

She also shouted out Tiffany Greene, a seasoned HBCU sports analyst, for inspiring her and countless Black female sports journalists to aim higher.

In this moment, I just have to shoutout my mentor @TiffanyAGreene. Thank you so much for pouring into me, your advice, encouragement and being the example!

Would love to do an all-female broadcast with you one day! For now, I’m excited to see you on press level. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/rWffJ480g7
— Thai Ali Floyd (@thaialifloyd) July 13, 2025

“In this moment, I just have to shout out my mentor @TiffanyAGreene,” wrote Floyd. “Thank you so much for pouring into me, your advice, encouragement and being the example!”

Alabama A&M fans and supporters of women in sports can hear Floyd’s debut when the football season kicks off Aug. 30.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 14, 2025

19-Year-Old Jessica Hyatt Becomes Youngest Black Woman Chess Champion

She has earned over $40,000 in college scholarships due to playing chess.

A Brooklyn teenager, Jessica Hyatt, has made history by becoming the highest-rated African American female chess player.

According to Duchess International Magazine, the 19-year-old is now a candidate master, which is several levels lower than grandmaster, international master, and FIDE, the highest title that can be achieved in chess (according to chess.com). She has earned over $40,000 in college scholarships due to playing chess.

The young chess prodigy started her journey in the sport in Brooklyn, where she was introduced to chess through a nonprofit institution that teaches children the rigors of chess in underserved communities, Chess in the Schools.

BlackNews.com reported that in 2019, she won the New York State Scholastic Championship title. As she continued to excel in the sport, she became the KCF (Kasparov Chess Foundation) All-Girls Nationals Champion and a five-time member of the USA National Youth Team four years later in 2023. At the World Youth Chess Championship that year, she came to a draw against top-seeded Liya Kurmangaliyeva despite being rated 1818.

Hyatt is building a legacy at such a young age by defeating grandmasters. In 2021, she handed Grandmaster Michael Rohde a defeat, and then the following year, she beat chess prodigy Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra, joining a very small group of African American women who have ever beaten a grandmaster.

At just 19, Jessica Hyatt is reshaping American chess. She won the 2019 New York State Scholastic Championship and the 2023 KCF All-Girls Nationals and is a five-time USA National Youth Team member. She currently holds the record as the highest-rated African female chess player. pic.twitter.com/lZkIAo9gsr

— Africa Hall Of Fame (@Afrihalloffame) July 11, 2025

In 2024, she reached the top of the rankings in the United States. In June of last year, she went undefeated at a simultaneous exhibition hosted by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Then, in August, she became the youngest African American woman to earn the National Master title, just several weeks after another Black girl, Shama Yisrael, became the first.

Donald Trump,judge, DEI, Executive orders

by Mitti Hicks

July 14, 2025

Donald Trump’s Approval Ratings Among Black Voters Slipping

The latest poll shows that 15% of Black voters approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, with an alarming 79% disapproving, pushing his net approval among Black voters to -64 points when analyzing the numbers since May.

Data from a new poll shows that support for President Donald Trump among Black voters is decreasing, according to a YouGov/Economist poll.

The latest poll shows that 15% of Black voters approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, with an alarming 79% disapproving. The newest number pushes his net approval among Black voters to -64 points when analyzing the numbers since the spring. In May, the same poll revealed that 22% of Black voters approved of Trump’s second term, and 69% disapproved, resulting in a net rating of -47 points. The gap widened in June to -51 with his approval dropping to 20% among Black voters, and disapproval increased to 71%.

The 2024 presidential election saw a notable shift toward Republicans among Black voters. With 16% of the Black vote, President Donald Trump received the highest level of support for a GOP candidate among this voting bloc since President Gerald Ford in 1976. The support for Donald Trump among Black voters increased significantly from 8% in 2016 to 12% in 2020, according to Newsweek.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Wisconsin saw the most significant shift among Black voters in the 2024 Presidential Election. There was a 13-percentage point shift toward Trump among Black voters in Wisconsin. There was also a shift in North Carolina, where the percentage of Black voters increased by 5 points from 2020 to 2024. Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada saw a 1- to 3-point shift among Black voters supporting Trump.

Decline In Support Among Black Voters Follows National Polling

The decline in support among Black voters aligns with national polling that shows Trump losing support among all voters. Many people disapprove of how Trump has handled immigration, foreign policy, and the economy, most notably the uncertainty with inflation and tariffs.

Researchers from the Economists say consumer confidence decreased since Trump took office. Many Americans are bracing for higher prices as a result of the tariff war. They also worry about losing their jobs if their employers’ costs rise. The concern was found in Democratic-led areas in the country, but Republicans are feeling pessimistic as well.

For Black voters, the shift downward in support for Trump is driven by concerns about the state of the economy. 24% of Black voters approved of Trump’s performance on jobs and the economy in May, compared to 66% who disapproved. In July, 18% of Black voters approved of his performance and 72% disapproved.

Inflation and prices are also a concern. Approval dropped from 19% in May to 16% in July, with disapproval rising to 75%. When it comes to a recession, 26% of Black voters said it was “likely” in the next year, while 10% said it was “not likely.” 49% believed the country was already in one.

How Trump’s Policies Have Impacted Black Americans

Following through on his campaign promises, Trump signed several executive orders that ended what his administration called “radical DEI programs and preferencing.” DEI policies create a fairer and more inclusive workplace. Still, Trump rolled back on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

In his second term, often referred to as Trump 2.0, the administration moved forward with plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and reduce the federal workforce through sweeping budget cuts across various federal departments. Federal employment has served as a lifeline for Black families to build wealth and financial stability. Black employees at the Education Department alone account for nearly 30% of the workforce, according to a 2024 department report.

Approximately 20% of the more than 1,300 new hires at the Department of Health and Human Services were Black employees, and roughly 24% of the staff let go at the Department of Veterans Affairs were also Black staff members.

New research found that the efforts by the Trump administration and Congress to cut the federal workforce, funding to states, and public services will disproportionately harm Black women who hold many of these jobs, specifically in the South. Data from the Economic Policy Institute shows Black women make up more than one in five local government workers and more than one in four state government workers in Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Maryland.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 14, 2025

Drake Escalates The Pettiness By Replacing LeBron James Tattoo With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Canadian rapper has not forgiven the Lakers player for appearing at Kendrick Lamar's pop-up concert last year.

Once again, proving that Drake is “Not Like Us,” the Canadian superstar has recently had a tattoo of his former friend, LeBron James, replaced with a tattoo of the current NBA MVP, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

LeBron and Drake shared a decades-long friendship, but ever since Drake’s stunning defeat to Compton’s Kendrick Lamar in, perhaps, one of hip-hop’s biggest rap battles, the “Thank Me Later” recording artist has taken shots at the future NBA Hall of Famer. The beef is alleged to have developed after Lamar’s pop-up concert in California during the height of the battle, when LeBron, along with many others, attended the performance.

In a move that Drake, who has been labeled an EMO (emotional) rapper since his debut into hip-hop, has taken LeBron’s appearance as disloyal and supposedly expected anyone he was friends with to take his side in the disagreement between the two rappers. Drake has taken shots at many others, including Sacramento Kings’ DeMar DeRozan, who was a great buddy to the Canadian when he played for the Toronto Raptors.

Earlier this year, Drake released a song titled “Fighting Irish,” where he disses several heads, specifically LeBron, on the song. For those who don’t know, LeBron attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, and the basketball team’s name was the Fighting Irish, so the speculation was that the reference was directed specifically at LeBron.

This latest action appears to cement the loss of friendship status between the two, as Drake was seen with the new tattoo, indicating that he is now a fan of the current NBA “it” guy, Gilgeous-Alexander.

Drake is hilarious man lmaoooo

He really covered his up LeBron James tattoo and replaced it with an SGA one 😭 pic.twitter.com/VnacfdYxtd

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) July 12, 2025

He reignited his feud with former friends in his latest song, “What Did I Miss?”, still referencing the pop-up concert that took place almost a year ago at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on June 19, 2024. If holding a grudge had a face, it would show up as Drake.

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 14, 2025

Judge Allows Don Lemon To Sue Elon Musk Over Botched X Deal

Judge Harold Kahn ruled in Lemon’s favor after Musk’s team attempted to have the lawsuit moved to a Texas court and tried to convince a judge to have all the claims thrown out.

A San Francisco judge ruled that a lawsuit from former CNN anchor Don Lemon against former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) director and X owner Elon Musk for the canceled X partnership can go to trial, CNBC reports.

Lemon filed the litigation in August 2024 after Musk canceled a partnership with the ex-CNN journalist just hours after he wrapped up an interview with the billionaire. The tense exchange was scheduled to be the premiere of Lemon’s new show hosted on the social media app. The host of YouTube’s “The Don Lemon Show” and his lawyers claim Musk and X committed “fraud by false promise” with “an implied contract” between the two parties.

Judge Harold Kahn ruled in Lemon’s favor after Musk’s team attempted to have the lawsuit moved to a Texas court and tried to convince a judge to have all the claims thrown out. Attorney Carney Shegerian said Kahn’s ruling holds Musk accountable for his actions. “The ruling means Don can hold X and Musk accountable in open court. Musk is subject to the legal process, just like everyone else, and that’s important,” Shegerian said in a statement, according to Fox Business.

“There’s no question about Musk’s motives and liability, as documented in his own texts and on X for millions to see.”

The controversial interview, scheduled to air in March 2023, included Lemon pressing Musk on a number of hot topics, with the billionaire pushing the so-called “great replacement theory” and other bigoted tropes and falsehoods, such as posts that claimed there was a “Hispanic invasion” of immigrants to the U.S. The $1.5 million lawsuit claims Musk and X promised the journalist that he would have “full authority and control over the work he produced, even if disliked” by the Tesla founder and his team.

Elon Musk vs Don Lemon pic.twitter.com/XyMLHLEysc
— Astro Greek (@astro_greek) June 7, 2025

Musk labeled the interview as “invasive and charged.” At the time, Lemon said he was unaware of any restrictions. “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,” the journalist once said.

Both Lemon and Musk have been under scrutiny over the past few years, starting when Musk took over the social app formerly known as Twitter. Touching on being a “free speech” hero, Musk restored President Donald Trump’s account after being permanently banned following the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, pushing severe backlash.

Lemon was let go from CNN in 2023 following accusations of co-worker mistreatment and making sexist remarks on-air, such as some made toward former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Lemon later apologized for the comments regarding Haley.