Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has criticized former President Donald Trump for turning the Republican Party into what he describes as a “family business.” In a recent interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Pod,” Cuban discussed the GOP presidential candidate with hedge fund manager David Tepper and SEC chief Gary Gensler, expressing concern over Trump’s tendency to involve his relatives in political affairs.
Cuban pointed out that Trump has consistently employed family members in various roles, stating, “All we’ve seen Donald Trump do is hire his relatives.” He referenced the recent appointment of Trump’s
daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and noted that Trump’s sons often speak on his behalf.
The “Shark Tank” investor went on to say, “The family business is now the Republican Party.” He highlighted how Trump’s children, including Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump, have played
significant roles in both his business ventures and political campaigns.
This isn’t the first time Cuban has voiced his concerns about Trump’s approach to business and politics. In a social media post earlier this month, he questioned Trump’s track record of investing in startups outside of his family circle, suggesting that other wealthy
individuals typically support entrepreneurs by investing in their businesses.
Cuban’s criticism extends beyond Trump’s family involvement. He recently took issue with Trump’s threat to impose a 200% tariff on John Deere if the company moves its manufacturing to Mexico, calling it a “good way to destroy a legendary American company and increase costs to American buyers.”
The outspoken billionaire has been a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsing her and praising her economic agenda as “pro-business.” In contrast, Cuban has described Trump as “the antithesis” of someone with good character, suggesting that some of Trump’s Silicon Valley backers believe they can manipulate him due to his transactional nature and lack of core values.
Cuban’s comments reflect a broader critique of Trump’s leadership style and its impact on the Republican Party. By emphasizing the former president’s reliance on family members for key positions and decision-making, Cuban raises questions about nepotism and the blurring of lines between personal interests and party politics.
The involvement of Trump’s children in his political career has been a consistent theme throughout his presidency and beyond. Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were influential figures in Trump’s White House inner circle. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. has become a prominent voice in conservative media and continues to campaign for his father.
Trump’s decision to appoint his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to a leadership position within the RNC has further fueled discussions about the intertwining of family and party operations. Lara Trump, a former TV news producer, has been described by the former president as “an extremely talented communicator” dedicated to the MAGA movement.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Cuban’s observations highlight the ongoing debate about the direction of the Republican Party and the influence of the Trump family within it. While supporters of the former president may view family involvement as a sign of loyalty and shared values, critics like Cuban see it as a potential conflict of interest and a departure from traditional party structures.
The discussion around Trump’s approach to politics and business continues to be a divisive issue, with figures like Cuban using their platforms to question the long-term implications for both the Republican Party and American democracy as a whole.