Mark Cuban Apologizes After Remarks Taken As Insult To Pro-Trump Women

Billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban has issued an apology and clarification following backlash over comments he made criticizing former President Donald Trump .

In an interview on Thursdays broadcast of The View, Cuban had said that Trump doesnt surround himself with strong, intelligent women, suggesting thats why the Republican politician hasnt been seen lately with Nikki Haley, his onetime presidential primary opponent turned supporter.

Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever. Its just that simple. Theyre intimidating to him. He doesnt like to be challenged by them, said Cuban, who has been stumping for Vice President Kamala Harris , Trumps Democratic rival in the 2024 White House race.

Nikki Haley will call him on his nonsense with reproductive rights and how he sees and treats and talks about women. I mean, he just cant have her around. It wouldnt work, he added on the ABC talk show.

(Cubans comments can be heard at the 23-minute mark here .)

His remarks were subsequently seen by many as a criticism of any woman who supports Trump, something that the presidential candidate and others immediately pounced on.

All strong women, and women in general, should be angry about this weak mans statement, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump also called Cuban, who initially supported him in the 2016 presidential election, a really dumb guy and said that nobody respects him.

Following his TV appearance, Cuban sought to clarify his comments and apologize to anyone offended.

When I said this during the interview, I didnt get it out exactly the way I thought I did. So I apologize to anyone who felt slighted or upset by my response, he said in a Friday post  on X, formerly Twitter. As I said, it wasnt about Trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former.

In a separate post , he wrote that he knows many strong, intelligent women voting for Trump. Including in my extended family.

He went on to name people like GOP strategist Kellyanne Conway and former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao as examples of strong intelligent women who have worked with Trump.

I stand by my opinion that he does not like being challenged publicly, Cuban added.