Mark Cuban Demonstrates to Democrats What They've Been Overlooking
The billionaire from the reality show is conveying a Harris-Walz message with greater effectiveness than the Democratic ticket.
TroibNews 
Mark Cuban, who serves as a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, presents her as appealing to “grinders.” He explains, “The people who put their lives on the line to make a dream come true, that want better for their families and [are] willing to work nonstop to get it.” Cuban also highlights their motivation, stating, “They are driven by the 'Power of Broke,’” a term from Daymond John's book that illustrates how desperation fuels innovation.
Cuban's involvement has added a dynamic element to Harris's campaign, particularly in her push for an “Opportunity Economy” aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs. Unlike many politicians, Cuban engages with the public through economic town halls, recently hosting events in Nevada where he claims to have swayed opinions in Harris's favor.
His collaboration with Harris is notable in light of the Democratic Party's recent distancing from billionaires. Many activists on the left argue that every billionaire reflects a policy failure, focusing on reducing the influence of corporate interests in politics. However, with President Biden struggling to maintain strong economic approval ratings, and Harris trailing another celebrity billionaire in economic polling, it becomes evident that business leaders are often seen as credible voices on economic issues.
Few supporters defend Harris's economic agenda as effectively as Cuban, whose insights resonate more due to his real-world business experience. For instance, he articulated support for raising taxes on companies that buy back their stocks, asserting, “If you have something to invest in [research and development], you do it...Let’s tax the buybacks and that’ll create a ton of revenue to reduce the deficit.”
The relationship between Cuban and Harris also underscores her willingness to engage with business leaders, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed. As a self-identified independent, Cuban embodies leftist concerns about Harris’s centrist and corporate-friendly tendencies, as he occasionally diverges from her messaging. He has suggested she should not reappoint Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and criticized a proposed wealth tax on unrealized gains.
Recently, he offered a candid critique of Harris, telling ABC News, “Harris is just not a good salesperson." It’s clear he views himself as part of the solution, yet it raises questions about his potential role in her administration, should she be elected. Although he has jokingly mentioned “trolling,” he has also suggested he could run the Securities and Exchange Commission, an agency that once pursued him for insider trading. In the past, he has even considered a run for office himself.
His involvement reflects a broader trend of billionaires gaining influence in political narratives, as noted by one progressive political operative. They remarked, “Cuban is a reflection of the age, which is that Washington is becoming more and more of a sandbox for billionaires. This cycle it’s Musk and crypto. Who’s it going to be in the next election?”
Cuban's unique combination of corporate prowess and celebrity status makes him an invaluable asset for the Democratic Party, particularly in appealing to younger demographics. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016, but his current engagement with the Harris campaign is markedly different.
His high-profile status also plays a psychological role in the campaign. Communications consultant Brian Brokaw commented, “I have no doubt that Mark Cuban probably gets under the skin of Donald Trump in a way that most other surrogates wouldn’t.” Cuban seems to embrace this notion, even playfully asserting dominance over Trump in a recent email exchange by mentioning, “He still doesn’t realize my [clubhead] speed is better than his, and I can outdrive him.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Cuban's involvement has added a dynamic element to Harris's campaign, particularly in her push for an “Opportunity Economy” aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs. Unlike many politicians, Cuban engages with the public through economic town halls, recently hosting events in Nevada where he claims to have swayed opinions in Harris's favor.
His collaboration with Harris is notable in light of the Democratic Party's recent distancing from billionaires. Many activists on the left argue that every billionaire reflects a policy failure, focusing on reducing the influence of corporate interests in politics. However, with President Biden struggling to maintain strong economic approval ratings, and Harris trailing another celebrity billionaire in economic polling, it becomes evident that business leaders are often seen as credible voices on economic issues.
Few supporters defend Harris's economic agenda as effectively as Cuban, whose insights resonate more due to his real-world business experience. For instance, he articulated support for raising taxes on companies that buy back their stocks, asserting, “If you have something to invest in [research and development], you do it...Let’s tax the buybacks and that’ll create a ton of revenue to reduce the deficit.”
The relationship between Cuban and Harris also underscores her willingness to engage with business leaders, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed. As a self-identified independent, Cuban embodies leftist concerns about Harris’s centrist and corporate-friendly tendencies, as he occasionally diverges from her messaging. He has suggested she should not reappoint Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and criticized a proposed wealth tax on unrealized gains.
Recently, he offered a candid critique of Harris, telling ABC News, “Harris is just not a good salesperson." It’s clear he views himself as part of the solution, yet it raises questions about his potential role in her administration, should she be elected. Although he has jokingly mentioned “trolling,” he has also suggested he could run the Securities and Exchange Commission, an agency that once pursued him for insider trading. In the past, he has even considered a run for office himself.
His involvement reflects a broader trend of billionaires gaining influence in political narratives, as noted by one progressive political operative. They remarked, “Cuban is a reflection of the age, which is that Washington is becoming more and more of a sandbox for billionaires. This cycle it’s Musk and crypto. Who’s it going to be in the next election?”
Cuban's unique combination of corporate prowess and celebrity status makes him an invaluable asset for the Democratic Party, particularly in appealing to younger demographics. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016, but his current engagement with the Harris campaign is markedly different.
His high-profile status also plays a psychological role in the campaign. Communications consultant Brian Brokaw commented, “I have no doubt that Mark Cuban probably gets under the skin of Donald Trump in a way that most other surrogates wouldn’t.” Cuban seems to embrace this notion, even playfully asserting dominance over Trump in a recent email exchange by mentioning, “He still doesn’t realize my [clubhead] speed is better than his, and I can outdrive him.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
