“You should take this interview out behind the barn”: A Very Political Reason Led to an Ugly Shark Tank Feud Between Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary

SUMMARY

• Kevin O'Leary compared Kamala Harris' policy to Justin Trudeau's situation.
• His comments earned a response from Mark Cuban, which wasn't exactly thrilling.
• O'Leary wanted Mark Cuban to continue his tenure as a Shark.

Out of all Shark Tank judges, Kevin O’Leary has never shied away from speaking his mind, even though the reception to his words hasn’t always landed in his favor. Apart from throwing fits over ambitious investment seekers and dishing out financial advice on a regular basis, the business mogul has also dipped his toes into the current political climate.

Kevin O’Leary in Shark Tank | Credit: ABC Network

However, his one assessment against Kamala Harris proved to be pretty divisive among viewers and even grabbed the eye of his longtime friend and Shark Tank co-judge Mark Cuban.

Mark Cuban called out Kevin O’Leary over his political stance

Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank | Credit: ABC Network

While reflecting on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris’ policies ahead of the November elections, Kevin O’Leary deemed the latter “all sugar, no protein” (via TheWrap).

Although the Shark added that he was aware of Trump’s way of running things, given his previous four years at the office, his big beef with Harris was “I don’t know Harris’s policies.”

My big beef, I don’t know Harris’s policies. She won’t sit down to discuss anything about price gouging in detail, or corporate taxes, or any of this. So of course, I’m critical. I’m very critical. She’s all sugar, no protein, that’s what I hear.

In another interview (via Fox News), which earned the attention of his fellow Shark Mark Cuban, the business mogul drew a parallel between Harris and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s situation, adding,

It would be important to leave aside the politics and ask what has Kamala Harris done, actually achieved?

In response, Cuban tweeted (now deleted):

You should take this interview out behind the barn.

Even though the two may not see eye to eye with their political leanings, this hasn’t stopped O’Leary from speaking highly of Cuban, which is saying something given the former’s reputation.

Kevin O’Leary tried to stop Mark Cuban from leaving Shark Tank

Mark Cuban in Shark Tank | Credit: ABC Network

With Cuban set to part ways with Shark Tank following the Shark’s desire to prioritize family, O’Leary revealed that he attempted to change the former’s mind regarding leaving.

While it did little to change Cuban’s decision, O’Leary understood his fellow Shark’s thought process, adding (via US Weekly), “We’re going to miss him.”

I tried to turn him around on that decision because he’s been part of the DNA of the show for so long. But I understand his reasons, and he thought a lot about it and he made it for family reasons and I understand exactly why. Obviously, we’re going to miss him.

O’Leary further confessed to being emotional over Cuban’s exit, which is reasonable given the latter’s impact on the show.

Shark Tank is available to watch on Hulu & Apple TV.

Written by Santanu Roy

Articles Published: 2009

Santanu Roy is a film enthusiast with a deep love for the medium of animation while also being obsessed with The Everly Brothers, Billy Joel, and The Platters. Having expertise in everything related to Batman, Santanu spends most of his time watching and learning films, with Martin Scorsese and Park Chan-wook being his personal favorites. Apart from pursuing a degree in animation, he also possesses a deep fondness for narrative-driven games and is currently a writer at Fandomwire with over 1500 articles.