Taking on Mark Cuban

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“You never see Trump around intelligent, strong women — ever.” —Mark Cuban

For many years, I’ve admired Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team and regular member of Shark Tank, the popular TV show.

I met up with Cuban recently at a SALT conference in Las Vegas.

Mark Skousen (left) and Mark Cuban (right)

Cuban is famous for saying, “Follow the green, not the dream.”

He believes that, for most people, following your passion after college is a pipe dream. It won’t pay the bills, and you may end up living with your parents into your 30s.

The biggest mistake in business, he has said, is for young entrepreneurs to be excessively idealistic, to go out to conquer the world rather than put food on the table. The best strategy is making a living, and then, when you are successful, to follow your dream.

According to Cuban, a liberal arts education is the best for the long-term because specific skills are only useful short term. You need to be flexible in today’s rapidly changing world of technology.

Mark Cuban a Libertarian?

Cuban told me that his two favorite books are “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged,” both by Ayn Rand. The name of his yacht is The Fountainhead. He says that while he is a libertarian in spirit, we have to deal with the real world of big government, and that means compromise.

Mark Cuban Discusses ‘Shark Tank’ and Kevin O’Leary

I asked him about “Shark Tank,” and the sharp tongue of his fellow panelist Kevin O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful.” Cuban told me that O’Leary really does believe that it’s only about the money.

I told him about the debate we had at FreedomFest between John Mackey (CEO, Whole Foods Market) and Kevin O’Leary.

The topic was “Conscious Capitalism vs. Pure Greed.” It was a fiery debate. Mackey argued that business has a higher purpose — the “good, the beautiful and the heroic.” For O’Leary, it’s all about the money: “If you want a friend, buy a dog!”

You can watch the 20-minute debate here.

Cuban sided with Mackey and likes his “stakeholder” philosophy.

Cuban said he’s the number one investor and does more deals than anyone else on “Shark Tank.” He does the show because he wants everyone in America to believe they can achieve success as an entrepreneur.

He rejects the notion that start-ups are declining in the United States.

“There is no shortage of investments,” Cuban said. “America is still the land of opportunity.”

He said that 50,000 people apply to be on “Shark Tank” every year.

“To say that entrepreneurship is dying and socialism is coming is self-defeating,” he told the SALT audience.

Like John Mackey, Cuban believes in “democratic capitalism” — companies should encourage all employees to have some form of stake in the company and hire minorities.

“Capitalism must help all people — growing inequality will cause social unrest due to disparity,” Cuban cautioned.

Fast Forward to 2024: Cuban Endorses Kamala Harris!

Given this background, I was shocked that Cuban endorsed the Democratic candidate for president earlier this year. I can understand his dislike of Trump’s often erratic behavior, but I thought he made a big mistake supporting Harris, who is anti-business and pro-woke culture. Why not at least vote for the libertarian candidate, if Trump is so odious?

Right before the election, Cuban blundered when he said, “You never see Trump around intelligent, strong women — ever.” He had to backtrack that statement a few days later, after a host of women who have worked for Trump or support him complained, including Kayleigh McEnany, former White House press secretary and cohost of “Outnumbered” on Fox News Channel; Kellyanne Conway, the first woman to helm a presidential campaign to victory; Ivanka Trump, entrepreneur and mentor on “The Apprentice”; Hope Hicks, Trump’s White House Communications Officer and Sarah Sanders, who also served as White House press secretary.

According to Brooke Rollins, former White House domestic policy chief, “We had more women on senior staff — working moms — than any other White House in the history of this country.”

Trump even chose the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff last month, Susie Wiles, a formidable political operative.

Women in positions of leadership can make a huge difference in our lives, and will over the next four years.

Speaking of Intelligent, Strong Women…

This whole episode reminds me of my wife’s book, “Matriarchs of the Messiah,” devoted to the women of the Bible, particularly the direct ancestors of Jesus Christ, from Eve to Mother Mary.

Jo Ann has written a fascinating tale of dynamic, intelligent, strong women who acted boldly to make things happen. They often had to use wit and inspiration to figure out how to accomplish their goals.

Each chapter highlights an ancestor who changed history, including Eve… Sarah… Rebekah… Leah… Tamar… Rahab… Ruth… Bathsheba… and of course, Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Theologians have criticized these women for their moments of decisive, daring and sometimes deceptive action, and often refer to them as “the bad girls of the bible.” But they unfairly misjudge these heroic and intelligent women, who were often leading the way, guiding their husbands and protecting their families.

As Jo Ann says, “Their stories demonstrate courage, resourcefulness and resolve.”

I’m most impressed with her introduction, “God’s Definition of a Woman: A Power Equal to Adam.” This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. She notes that in the Hebrew Bible, the phrase used at the creation of Eve is ezer kenegdo, which means much more than “helpmate.” Ezer connotes power, royalty and benevolent support, suggesting that woman was created by God as “a power equal yet opposite to man.”

Jo Ann is a brilliant writer and has written an inspiring work. But don’t take my word for it. Our long-time friend Steve Forbes writes, “Believers and non-believers alike will be fascinated and inspired by the women whose stories are skillfully told here by Jo Ann Skousen. Their trials, triumphs, strengths and shortcomings will speak to both women and men today. Skousen’s knowledge of the times in which they lived is particularly impressive.”

The Perfect Gift for the Holidays

Jo Ann’s book, now in its 2nd edition, is 242 pages long and has an index. It makes for a great gift for the holidays. Her chapter on Mary provides unique insights into Jesus’s relationship with his mother.

“Matriarchs of the Messiah” is available for only $20 at www.skousenbooks.com. She will autograph each copy and mail it at no extra charge — all in time for Christmas. Order your copies today!

You Blew It!

President Joe Biden Pardons His Son After the Election

I was glad to see President Joe Biden agree to attend the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20. Trump did a disservice to the country and the office of the presidency by not showing up at Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

But President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden is another matter. In a stunning and unprecedented move, Biden reversed his long-standing vow not to pardon his son, who failed to pay taxes on more than $7 million in income, and was convicted of violated federal gun rules.

During the presidential campaign, Biden repeatedly stated the justice system must operate without interference, even if it involves members of his own family.

Then, after the election, he changed his mind. He has the audacity to say: “For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth.” And you wonder why so many Americans are cynical about politics on both sides of the aisle.

He said he was reversing his previous pledge not to do so in the past year before the November elections, on grounds that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.”

But we all know it was politically motivated. If he had pardoned his son before the election, the Republicans would have gained more power in Washington.

Special counsel David Weiss, who was appointed by Biden’s Attorney General, denied the charge of bias. “There has never been any evidence of vindictive or selective prosecution in this case,” Weiss and other federal prosecutors told a federal judge in Delaware. They pointed out that Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax charges brought in California federal court, while a jury convicted him of gun-related crimes in Delaware federal court.

Of course, it is true that the IRS often goes after high-profile cases as a warning to the general public to pay their taxes, or else.

“No one is above the law”? Well, some people are.

Good investing, AEIOU,

Mark Skousen