Mark Cuban Reveals He Was Once an Avid Trump Supporter: 'I Didn't Think He Had a Chance' The "Shark Tank" star spoke about his political preferences in an interview with Vivek Ramaswamy.

By Emily Rella Edited by Melissa Malamut

Key Takeaways

  • Mark Cuban revealed in an interview with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that he used to support former President Donald Trump prior to the 2016 election.
  • Cuban said that he appreciated that Trump wasn't a typical politician, but his opinion has since changed.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Mark Cuban has been vocally opposed to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, but the billionaire wasn't always so critical of the former President — in fact, he used to support him.

During an interview with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Cuban revealed that he was a Trump supporter for a time in 2015, before the 2016 election.

Related: Mark Cuban Slams Kevin O'Leary on Social Media After TV Appearance

"I actually started off supporting Donald, and then I got to know him better," Cuban told Ramaswamy. "I was like, he's great; he's not a typical Stepford candidate. I thought that was a positive."

Cuban admitted that he didn't take the Trump campaign seriously when he began his support — and that added to its appeal. He said traditional politics needed a shake-up.

"I didn't think he had a chance, and so I just wanted to kind of, you know, screw things up in traditional politics that I'm not a fan of," he said.

Cuban then clarified that he no longer supports a second Trump term.

Related: Mark Cuban Offers Rare Praise to Elon Musk: 'Outstanding'

"He was unethical then, and he's unethical now," Cuban said. "You want somebody whose first inclination is not to do what's in their own best personal interest."

Last month, Cuban criticized his longtime rival and fellow billionaire, Elon Musk, after Tesla's CEO publicly endorsed Trump on X.

Cuban is a registered Independent but supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election and has recently shown support on social media for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Related: Mark Cuban Says He's Received 'Multiple Questions' From Kamala Harris About Crypto

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

7 Steps to De-Risking Big Business Decisions Before They Backfire

When the stakes are high, these seven steps can help you avoid costly mistakes, eliminate bias and make smarter decisions that actually scale.

Leadership

The Difference Between Entrepreneurs Who Survive Crises and Those Who Don't

In a business world accelerated by AI, visibility alone is fragile. Here's how strategic silence and consistency can turn reputation into your most powerful asset.

Business News

United Airlines Says It Is Adding Extra Flights in Case Spirit 'Suddenly Goes Out of Business'

Rival airlines, including United and Frontier, are adding new routes as Spirit cuts 12 cities from its schedule.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

Here's the Real Reason Your Employees Are Checked Out — And the Missing Link That Could Fix It

Most disengaged employees aren't exhausted — they're disconnected, and storytelling may be the key to rebuilding that connection.

Business News

You Can Get Paid $18,000 More a Year By Adding AI Skills to Your Resume, According to a New Study

Employers are emphasizing AI skills — and are willing to pay a lot more if you have them.