Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban recently shared his thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s wealthy supporters, suggesting they believe they can manipulate the ex-president due to his transactional nature and lack of core values. In an interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Cuban didn’t mince words about Trump’s character, describing him as “the antithesis” of someone with good qualities.
Cuban, known for his role on “Shark Tank” and as owner of the Dallas Mavericks, expressed his belief that Trump’s backers in Silicon Valley see an opportunity to exert influence over him. He stated that these supporters understand Trump’s tendency to approach situations transactionally, without strong underlying principles, making him susceptible to manipulation for their own interests.
The outspoken businessman went further, labeling Trump as the “most unethical” and “dishonest” individual he has ever conducted business with. While Cuban didn’t provide specifics about their past business dealings, his criticism was unequivocal.
Emphasizing the importance of character and empathy in presidential leadership, Cuban argued that these qualities are essential for making difficult ethical decisions. He expressed disbelief that people would consider Trump for the presidency given what he perceives as the former president’s significant ethical shortcomings.
Cuban also offered his perspective on why tech mogul Elon Musk has thrown his support behind Trump. He suggested that for the world’s wealthiest individual, the prospect of effectively controlling the most powerful person on the planet is intoxicating. Cuban likened this to the adage that “power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
This isn’t the first time Cuban has speculated about the motivations of Silicon Valley figures backing Trump. In a previous interview with Jon Stewart, he characterized their support as more of a “takeover” attempt, driven by a desire to exert maximum control and influence.
Cuban’s criticisms of Trump extend beyond business matters. He accused the former president of bigotry, specifically referencing Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio. Cuban likened Trump’s tactics to those of Roy Cohn, the controversial lawyer who once mentored Trump, describing it as a strategy of relentless demonization.
Interestingly, Cuban admitted that he initially supported Trump, believing the businessman could bring fresh perspectives to politics. However, after investigating Trump’s business history, including controversies surrounding Trump University and Trump SoHo, Cuban changed his stance.
In recent months, Cuban has become increasingly vocal about his opposition to Trump. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming election and has criticized various aspects of Trump’s proposed policies, including tariffs that Cuban believes would harm businesses.
Despite his strong criticisms, Cuban maintains that he doesn’t “hate” Trump. He clarified his position on social media, stating that he simply considers Trump to have been, and would continue to be, an ineffective president.
Cuban’s overarching message emphasizes the crucial role of character in the presidency. He argues that the nation’s leader must possess the ethical grounding necessary to navigate complex challenges and make difficult decisions. In Cuban’s view, Trump’s perceived lack of character and ethics disqualifies him from consideration for the highest office in the land.