Mark Cuban issues apology for comments insulting women working for Trump

Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban on Friday attempted to apologize to women who work for former President Donald Trump, after he faced backlash by claiming that Trump did not surround himself with "strong, intelligent women."

The billionaire made the comment on Thursday when responding to a question on "The View" about why former Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was not asked to join Trump on the campaign trail. 

"Donald Trump, you never see him around strong, intelligent women. Ever. It's just that simple. They're intimidating to him. He doesn't like to be challenged by them," Cuban said. "Nikki Haley will call him on his nonsense with reproductive rights and how he sees and treats and talks about women. I mean, he just can't have her around. It wouldn't work."

Cuban tried to clarify his comments in a post on X on Friday, claiming that the comment was not about "Trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former." 

"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," Cuban said. "I set myself up for the 6 sec soundbite. No excuses. Can't nail every interview. My skin is thick enough."

He went on to criticize the response he's received from the interview, claiming that a lot of the responses, both for and against him, tend to include an insult of some kind.

"I'm not blaming anyone. We are where we are," he continued. "Here is hoping that changes at least a little bit in a week. In the spirit of joy... I have to add that all the AI memes of me with the long hair crack me up. So there is a positive."

The comment was heavily criticized by the Trump campaign on Thursday.

"This is extremely insulting to the thousands of women who work for President Trump, and the tens of millions of women who are voting for him," Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "These women are mothers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders and they are, indeed, strong AND intelligent, despite what Mark Cuban and Kamala Harris say."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.