In a recent exchange on social media, Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, publicly called out Elon Musk and other business magnates for backing former President Donald Trump’s reelection bid. The disagreement began when David Sacks, an associate of Musk, posted on X, a list of several powerful individuals in business who have shown their support for Trump’s campaign. Included in the list were prominent figures such as Bill Ackman, Ben Horowitz, Marc Andreessen, Doug Leone, Joe Lonsdale, Peter Thiel, and the Winklevoss twins.

Musk quoted Sacks’ message, “Come on in, the water’s warm,” adding his own sentiment, “The choice is clear.” This incited a response from Cuban, who retorted with a sharp quote tweet, “The Virtue of Selfishness,” a nod to Ayn Rand’s philosophy.

Cuban, recognized for his candid views and a long-standing critic of Trump, has been transparent about his political leanings. He had consistently backed President Joe Biden, though now he has to consider Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential ticket.

Cuban also speculated on the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on the cryptocurrency market. He suggested that Silicon Valley leaders’ recent support for Trump could be a tactical decision to capitalize on possible inflation under Trump’s economic plans. “Trump’s plans to cut income taxes and raise tariffs could drive up inflation, making bitcoin a ‘safe-haven’ for those looking to protect their savings,” Cuban argued, indicating a possible financial incentive behind the endorsements.

The discord between Cuban and Musk isn’t a new development. The billionaire pair have previously disagreed on various matters, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in business. Musk has criticized DEI, referring to it as “just another word for racism,” while Cuban has defended it as an essential business approach that promotes higher productivity and success. This ideological divide between the two reflects larger societal discussions and emphasizes their different perspectives for America’s future.

Musk’s support of Trump aligns with other conservative Silicon Valley leaders who have increasingly backed the former president. Trump’s recent announcement that Senator JD Vance will be his vice-presidential choice has enhanced his standing among these business leaders. The cryptocurrency industry, dissatisfied with the Biden administration’s policy towards digital assets, has also shown a shift towards Trump.

Regardless of their public disputes and political jockeying, both Cuban and Musk continue to be figures whose opinions are influential across the business and political arenas. Their public back-and-forths reveal deeper philosophical divides that continue to influence the discourse in America.