Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban expanded upon his decision not to seek a third-party bid Monday, saying that while it was an “interesting concept” overall, there is “no reality” to him making a run given the time constraints.
Cuban told NBC News Monday afternoon that the pitch from those seeking a third-party candidate, as well as his response, were quick and “to the point.”
“It wasn’t really a pitch. It was just a question [of] are you interested? There’s a need, and the response was very quick and to the point,” Cuban told host Steve Kornacki. “There wasn’t enough time and it just wouldn’t work. I think they looked at me more because possibly I could afford to fund it, that obviously it was an interesting concept to me, but there’s no reality to it. It just wouldn’t work.”
Cuban also said that while he offered praise for Trump for changing politics back in July, the real estate mogul hasn’t evolved enough or gotten a “detailed understanding” on matters facing the next president. He also doubled down on recent statements, calling Trump’s bid the “Seinfeld candidacy” a “candidacy about nothing.”
“At some point as a candidate, you have to learn and you have to evolve,” Cuban said. “When you look at Donald now … you don’t say, ‘Wow, he’s really come a long way. His positions are more detailed. He’s shown a detailed understanding. He’s made an investment in time to learn about any given position or issue.’ He just hasn’t. He hasn’t learned, and that’s the real problem..”
Cuban, who owns the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, admitted that he likes Trump and has talked to him in the past. However, he declined to say who he would support among Trump and Clinton, saying he hasn’t made up his mind at this point.
“It’s too early,” Cuban said. “I don’t have to decide today. I have until November.”
