Never one to shy away from a controversial subject, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban shared his opinion on the 2016 presidential campaign recently during an interview with Patrick Bet-David.
"What's concerning is the way all the candidates, Republican or Democrat, are trolling for votes," Cuban said. "They're just pandering...within the realm of what gets votes... 'What do you want me to say? I'll say it.'"
Cuban's quote came after he was asked about Republican candidate and real estate mogul Donald Trump and if he would feel comfortable with Trump as president. Cuban said he likes Trump and considers him to be a smart guy but thinks he is trying too hard to get votes with his speeches.
"I need to appeal to ultra-conservatives in order to get elected in the primary. So if I'm appealing to ultra-conservatives, what do ultra-conservatives want?" Cuban asked rhetorically. "He (Trump) started with immigration. That fit. Now, everything he says and does, it's, 'Okay, what's the playbook for getting voters for the primary?'
"Now, do I think if he's elected president he'll follow through with all those things? No, because most of them won't work. And do I think he's smart enough to figure that out and then just do the right thing when he's elected? Yes."
Cuban's advice to people trying to figure out who to vote for in the primary is to see through the rhetoric and decide which of the candidates' campaign promises are feasible.
"Like a lot of candidates or politicians, you vote for not what they say but knowing that 99% of what they say won't come true, but what they'll do once they get in," Cuban said. "You already know, he's not going to get a wall built. He's not going to get all these things done. It's just not gonna happen and there's no money to do it. So slice those off and what will happen when you just put the guy in the office?"
This is far from the first time Cuban commented on the presidential campaign. This summer he wrote on Cyber Dust that he wants to be a Republican but is troubled by the party's demands for conformity. He also offered some insight into Trump's thinking in August and in July said he would consider being Trump's vice president, all after playing the POTUS himself in Sharknado 3.
The entire interview is worth a watch as Cuban discusses the candidates tax plans in addition to how Cuban runs a business. Skip ahead to the 36:45 mark for Cuban's take on the presidential race but be careful because some parts are NSFW, as it usually goes with Cuban.