San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harold E. Kahn ruled on 10 July that journalist Don Lemon may proceed with key portions of his lawsuit against X, the social-media platform owned at the time by Elon Musk. The decision allows Lemon to pursue claims of fraud, misappropriation of name and likeness, breach of implied contract, promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment. The court dismissed several other allegations, including defamation, negligent misrepresentation, retaliation and harassment. Lemon sued Musk, X, former chief executive Linda Yaccarino and content executive Brett Weitz in 2024 after the company terminated a planned content partnership. According to the complaint, X had agreed to pay Lemon US$1.5 million and share advertising revenue in exchange for a year of exclusive video programming, with options for renewal. Musk canceled the arrangement on 9 March 2024—one day after a sometimes-contentious interview—informing Lemon’s agent that the “contract is canceled,” the filing states. Musk unsuccessfully sought to move the case to federal court in Texas. With the suit remaining in California, Lemon’s attorney Carney Shegerian said the ruling ensures Musk and X must now defend themselves in open court. X’s counsel did not respond to a request for comment. The case will proceed toward trial in San Francisco, with Lemon permitted to amend his complaint to clarify the nature of the alleged express contract.