Yahoo Finance 'Mark Cuban is an insufferable tool': Elon Musk slammed Cuban's claim that Twitter is a 'cesspool for hate' — and the Shark Tank star had an absolutely zany reply. What's behind the drama?
The ongoing public spat between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban is getting increasingly heated on social media.
In a pointed critique during an interview, Cuban lambasted Twitter for its transformation under Musk's leadership.
“Twitter has become just a cesspool for hate,” Cuban asserted, claiming that he received antisemitic comments on the platform.
Don’t miss
Commercial real estate has outperformed the S&P 500 over 25 years. Here's how to diversify your portfolio without the headache of being a landlord
Inflation is still white-hot in 2024 — use these 3 'real assets’ to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says
Anything can happen in 2024. Try these 5 easy money hacks to help you make and save thousands of dollars in the new year (they will only take seconds)
This interview clip quickly went viral on X, formerly Twitter, the very platform that Cuban criticizes. Journalist Glenn Greenwald shared that clip, commenting, “That X is somehow uniquely fostering hate speech is solely because Musk refuses to censor as much, and @MCuban's anger that he's not universally adored here.”
Greenwald’s post caught the attention of Musk himself, who, instead of debating the accuracy of Cuban's statements, simply replied, “Mark Cuban is an insufferable tool.”
Cuban's comeback was playfully eccentric: “He’s my best friend. He’s a real bad b—-. Got his own car. Don’t need no Lyft. I ❤️you too Elon!”
This whimsical exchange even drew in Lyft, the ridesharing company mentioned by Cuban. Lyft’s Twitter account chimed in, “Oh great now we have to get in on this beef.”
Battle of the billionaires
This isn't the first instance of Musk and Cuban engaging in a heated exchange. In January, the two billionaires drew significant attention on social media for their sharply contrasting views on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workforce.
The debate was ignited by a long tweet from billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, which lambasted Harvard's DEI policies.
Musk, echoing Ackman's sentiments, shared the essay and added, “DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it.”
Cuban, who had recently sold a majority interest in the Dallas Mavericks but retained operational control of the team, countered Musk's viewpoint with a series of tweets emphasizing the advantages of DEI programs.
“Good businesses look where others don't, to find the employees that will put your business in the best possible position to succeed,” Cuban asserted. “By extending our hiring search to include them, we can find people that are more qualified. The loss of DEI-Phobic companies is my gain.”
Musk, however, remained skeptical, mockingly asking Cuban, “Cool, so when should we expect to see a short white/Asian women on the Mavs?”
Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate — without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how
Divided by DEI
This exchange highlights the polarized opinions on DEI within the business community. On one side, there are those who, like Musk, view DEI initiatives as at best ineffective tools for achieving their purported goal of extending more opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups.
And at worst, according to Musk and his fellow critics, DEI is potentially counterproductive, even discriminatory, and at odds with merit-based hiring and promotion.
On the other side, figures like Cuban argue that DEI is crucial for tapping into a diverse talent pool and can significantly benefit business operations and make a company more competitive.
In the Fall 2023 Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey, the majority of leaders said that DEI is built into their strategic priorities (65%) and that their board expects regular updates on DEI progress (58%).
However, recent news reports have pointed to reductions in DEI staff within some sectors.
What to read next
Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market — and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds
Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe — you may want to do the same in 2024
Credit card debt under inflation's shadow: The 4 potent weapons you need to have for a strong financial resurgence
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
