Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk after Musk promoted Tucker Carlson’s show on X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk’s post encouraging followers to watch Carlson’s show featuring an interview with podcaster Darryl Cooper, who made controversial statements about World War II, including minimizing the Holocaust, was met with backlash. Cuban, who is Jewish, condemned Musk for supporting Carlson and Cooper, pointing out the lack of empathy in their discussion about the mass killings during the war.
Cuban’s response to Musk’s post sparked a debate among users on X. While some agreed with Cuban’s criticism of Cooper as a “Nazi apologist,” others accused him of trying to gain Musk’s attention or argued that he should not engage with Musk on his platform. Some users proposed having a poll to determine which billionaire should delete their X account. This is not the first time Cuban has taken a dig at Musk, as he previously suggested that Musk manipulated X algorithms to influence the election while speaking on The Daily Show.
Cuban has been vocal about his disagreements with Musk, particularly on issues related to freedom of speech and the manipulation of information on social media platforms. Cuban has criticized Musk’s statements regarding how “truths” are amplified or suppressed on X, as well as his support for former President Donald Trump, whom Musk also supported. Cuban supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and President Joe Biden in 2020, and has voiced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on X in the past.
The exchange between Cuban and Musk reflects a broader conversation about accountability and responsibility on social media platforms. Cuban’s condemnation of Musk’s support for Carlson’s controversial content underscores the ethical considerations that come with promoting certain narratives or viewpoints. The debate sparked by Cuban’s response highlights the complexities of engaging with influential figures on platforms like X, where discussions about sensitive topics can quickly escalate.
As the conversation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Cuban and Musk will address their differences and whether their exchange will have broader implications for discussions about ethics, accountability, and free speech on social media platforms. Cuban’s criticism of Musk’s support for controversial content on X raises important questions about the role of influential figures in shaping public discourse and the boundaries of acceptable speech in the digital age.
