Billionaire Mark Cuban has recently taken to social media to express his dissatisfaction with Elon Musk and other business leaders for their endorsement of Donald Trump’s campaign.
The argument was sparked by a post from Musk’s associate, David Sacks, on X, which named several business personalities supporting Trump. This list included well-known figures such as Bill Ackman, Ben Horowitz, Marc Andreessen, Doug Leone, Joe Lonsdale, Peter Thiel, and the Winklevoss twins.
Musk quoted Sacks’ post, which read, “Come on in, the water’s warm,” and added his own comment, “The choice is clear.” This led to a response from Cuban who tweeted, “The Virtue of Selfishness,” a reference to the extreme philosophy of author Ayn Rand.
Cuban’s political stance, including his long-standing criticism of Trump and his support for President Joe Biden, has always been clear. In March, Cuban stated, “If they were planning his wake, and it was him versus Trump, and he was being given last rites, I would still vote for Joe Biden.” This statement emphasizes his disdain for Trump, despite his worries at the time about Biden’s performance in recent debates. Following the first presidential debate, Cuban expressed his disappointment at Biden’s performance, describing it as awful. He noted that Biden seemed feeble and gave underwhelming answers to questions. Regardless, Cuban maintained his support for Biden but raised concerns about Trump’s superior marketing skills, which he worried might sway the election.
Since Biden’s stepping down from running for reelection Cuban has posted some Harris memes on social media. It was also reported that the Harris campaign is getting advice from him on cryptocurrency.
The billionaire also criticized the potential impact of a second Trump term on the cryptocurrency market. Cuban suggested that Silicon Valley leaders’ recent support for Trump could be a strategic move to profit from possible inflation under Trump’s economic policies. He argued that Trump’s plans to reduce income taxes and increase tariffs might trigger inflation, making Bitcoin a ‘safe haven’ for those seeking to guard their savings. This, according to Cuban, could be a financial reason behind the endorsements.
The friction between Cuban and Musk is not a new development. The two billionaires have previously disagreed on various topics, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the business sector. Musk has criticized DEI, calling it just another word for racism, while Cuban has defended it as an essential strategy for business success. This ideological difference between the two mirrors wider societal debates and highlights their differing visions for the future of America.
Musk’s support for Trump aligns with the increasing backing of the former president by other Silicon Valley conservatives. Trump’s recent decision to select Senator JD Vance as his vice-presidential candidate has further strengthened his position among these business leaders. The crypto industry, discontented with the Biden administration’s approach to digital asset regulation, has also shifted its support towards Trump.
Despite their public disagreements and political maneuvering, both Cuban and Musk continue to be influential figures whose views resonate across the business and political landscapes. Their public discourse represents deeper philosophical divisions that continue to influence the conversation in the country.