Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), stirred controversy on Sunday with a sharp response to a post seemingly labeling billionaire Mark Cuban, known for his role on “Shark Tank,” as an idiot. The post featured an image of Cuban alongside the words, “There’s nothing in the world more dangerous than an idiot who thinks he’s a genius.”
Musk didn’t hold back, replying, “The tenacity of his stupidity is a marvel to behold.” This remark was directed at Cuban and was part of a larger, heated discussion online. The conversation gained traction after Cuban conducted a poll on his social media account, asking followers to choose between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as role models for children. The poll drew over half a million votes, with Trump leading at 63.9%.
Cuban’s endorsement of Harris, which he had made public earlier, was based on his admiration for her business-friendly policies and her focus on supporting the middle class. He praised her efforts to reduce costs in healthcare, groceries, and housing, aligning her with his vision of a modern, business-oriented Democratic Party.
On the other hand, Musk’s support for Trump represents a notable shift in his political stance. Musk, who has historically identified as a moderate Democrat, had once waited in line for six hours just to shake hands with former President Barack Obama. Now, however, he sees Trump as the better candidate, reflecting the deepening political divides within the business community.
Both Cuban and Musk have used their significant social media influence to engage with their followers on political matters, each conducting polls to gauge public opinion on Trump versus Harris. Interestingly, Trump led in both polls, suggesting that despite their differing endorsements, their audiences share a common preference.
The exchange between Musk and Cuban underscores the polarized political landscape, especially among high-profile figures in the business world. Musk’s blunt criticism of Cuban’s intelligence—calling it a “marvel to behold”—highlights not only the personal tensions between these two billionaires but also the broader ideological clashes that are increasingly shaping public discourse.
As the 2024 election season heats up, such interactions may become even more frequent, reflecting the broader societal divide on political and economic issues.