Chris Christie slams “Shark Tank”'s Mark Cuban on “The View ”for 'really stupid' comments: 'Doesn’t think before he talks'
Christie criticized Cuban's quotes on "The View," after the TV businessman said Donald Trump didn't surround himself with "strong, intelligent women."
Chris Christie's unofficial bid (perhaps only in our minds) to become a permanent View cohost continues, after the former New Jersey governor made yet another spicy appearance on the talk show Friday morning.
The 62-year-old turned up the heat at the Hot Topics table when he took a shot at Shark Tank star and business mogul Mark Cuban, after the latter's comments (also on The View, earlier this week) about Donald Trump not surrounding himself with "strong, intelligent women" — all in the presence of cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin, who previously worked under Trump at the White House.
Christie's comments came after panelist Sara Haines asked him about the weight political surrogates hold in the final days leading up to Tuesday's presidential election, especially after President Joe Biden courted controversy for referring to Trump's supporters as "garbage," and Cuban's "comments about women, which he made here," Haines said.
ABC; Christopher Willard/Getty
Chris Christie on 'The View' ; Mark Cuban on 'Shark Tank'"In the last few days, I think voters who were undecided are looking to listen to the candidates. I think the surrogates have minimal value in these last few days, on both sides. I don't think anybody really cares what Lindsey Graham thinks on the Republican side, or what Mark Cuban thinks," Christie replied. "Look, Cuban has a history of saying really stupid stuff. Mark doesn't think before he talks."
Cohost Joy Behar reminded Christie that Cuban — who also came out in support of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign — has "got a lot of money" and that you "can't argue with the success" the businessman has had.
Griffin also jumped in to defend Cuban, who earlier this week joined The View for an interview via digital feed while aboard his private jet. "He also walked it back. It genuinely wasn't what he meant," Griffin said. "I talked to him yesterday. He knows I worked for Trump, he wasn't directly insulting me to my face. He was talking about [how] Trump will only allow a certain level of pushback from advisors before he casts you out. It doesn't mean it wasn't messy."
Cuban issued a statement on X addressing his View interview, telling his followers in part: "When I said this during the interview, I didn't get it out exactly the way I thought I did. So I apologize to anyone who felt slighted or upset by my response. As I said, it wasn't about trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former. And, I set myself up for the 6 sec soundbite. No excuses. Can't nail every interview. My skin is thick enough."
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Still, Christie again cautioned that "people listen to what you say, and you've got to be careful in the last few days of a presidential race" — especially if those in question speak on behalf of candidates gunning for votes. As Griffin also did earlier this week, Christie then advised that Biden should "probably just keep quiet for the next few days" so as not to harm Harris' campaign, after he drew backlash for (and subsequently clarified) his "garbage" comment.
"First of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for," Harris said in response to Biden's remark. "I believe that the work that I do is about representing all the people, whether they support me or not."
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Cuban for comment.
The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on ABC.