In a recent episode of “The View” aired on October 31, 2024, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban sparked controversy with his remarks about President Donald Trump’s association with “strong, intelligent women.” Cuban, a supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, faced considerable backlash for implying that Trump avoids these women as they intimidate him.
According to Cuban, Trump shies away from being challenged by such women. He cited Nikki Haley as an example of a woman who would confront Trump on issues including reproductive rights and his perceptions of women, which allegedly makes her incompatible with him.
Republican leaders, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, sharply criticized Cuban’s comments. Stefanik referred to his remarks as a “sexist disgrace” and accused Democrats of expressing disdain for Americans. She cited an instance in which President Joe Biden allegedly called 250 million Americans “garbage,” linking it to Cuban’s comments.
In a video statement, Stefanik, the highest-ranking woman in the U.S. Congress, underscored her accomplishments, including her election as the youngest woman ever to serve in Congress and her senior roles on the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees.
In a subsequent radio interview with conservative host Martha Zoller, Cuban conceded that he could have been clearer in his comments. He named prominent Republican women like former GOP strategist Kellyanne Conway, former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Linda McMahon, all of whom have worked with Trump. Cuban acknowledged that Gabbard had appeared with Trump at multiple events, such as a National Guard conference and a North Carolina rally.
In an attempt to mitigate the controversy, Cuban issued a series of clarifications on social media. He confirmed that he knows many “strong, intelligent women” who support Trump, including his own family members. He further named conservative women like former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao who have worked with Trump. Despite these clarifications, Cuban maintained his stance that Trump dislikes public challenges.
Cuban’s apology, however, was not without qualifications. He referred to the controversial segment as “a six-second soundbite” and admitted that he “can’t nail every interview.” Despite expanding his list of conservative women he deems intelligent, critics accused him of providing excuses instead of a sincere apology.
In response to Cuban’s comments, Trump labelled him as a “really dumb guy” and claimed that he surrounds himself with the “strongest of women.”
