Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star, has emerged as a prominent supporter for Vice President Kamala Harris, focusing on economic and business issues. Nevertheless, he has neither financially contributed to her campaign nor expresses any aspiration to hold a cabinet position.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Cuban, who previously endorsed Nikki Haley during the Republican primary, described Harris as open-minded and not driven by ideology. He clarified, however, that he has not made any financial donations to her campaign. “I haven’t given her a penny,” Cuban stated, dismissing assumptions that he is a significant donor to Harris’s campaign.
Cuban elaborated on his stance regarding political contributions, explaining that he has not financially supported any candidate since 2002. He emphasized that his involvement stems from a genuine interest in assisting candidates without monetary influence, declaring, “I don’t want them to work with me because I paid them to work with me.”
This approach sets Cuban apart from other business leaders who have contributed substantial sums to support Harris, such as LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman and Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings. In contrast, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly donated at least $132 million towards electing Donald Trump and other Republican candidates.
Despite his lack of financial involvement, Cuban takes pride in his effectiveness as a surrogate for Harris, citing his ability to engage in detailed discussions about business topics and differentiate her plans from those of Trump.
Cuban also addressed speculation about his political ambitions, revealing that he briefly contemplated a presidential run in 2020 but has since ruled out pursuing any political office. “No, I’ve no interest, no interest in being a politician of any type,” he said, emphasizing his preference for being an entrepreneur. While Cuban expressed no desire to hold a cabinet position, he recently indicated to CNBC an interest in the role of chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, an organization he believes requires reform.
Additionally, Cuban has maintained that even if Trump wins the presidency, he intends to remain in the country, affirming his commitment to contributing positively regardless of the political climate. “I’ll do whatever I can to help this country wherever I can,” he stated, expressing an outlook that transcends partisan divisions.