Mark Cuban Turned Down Kamala Harris for VP

Mark Cuban speaking at a business roundtable hosted by the Kamala Harris for President campaign at Ocotillo in Phoenix, Arizona on October 19, 2024. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.

It’s the kind of political “what if” that fuels green-room chatter and political junkie daydreams. Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and former “Shark Tank” star, revealed that he was asked to be considered as Kamala Harris’ running mate during her 2024 presidential campaign - but he declined the offer.

A VP Slot That Didn’t Spark Joy

Cuban shared the behind-the-scenes tidbit during a sneak preview of an episode of “The Bulwark” podcast with host Tim Miller. The idea surfaced amid some speculative backstage gossip at MSNBC, which turned out to be spot-on. Miller confronted Cuban with the rumor that he was asked to submit vetting papers for the vice presidency - and refused. Cuban confirmed the story with a laugh and his signature directness.

According to Cuban, the request came from Harris’ team, who wanted him to go through the formal vetting process. But he didn’t see the point. “My response was I’m not very good as the number two person,” Cuban said in the podcast clip, according to the New York Post. He added that the last thing the campaign needed was him telling Kamala that one of her ideas was dumb.

Not only did Cuban doubt his fit for the traditional demands of a vice president, he admitted he’s not into the glad-handing and political pageantry. “I’m not real good at the shaking hands and kissing babies,” he said, according to the New York Post. And when pressed by Miller on how things might have gone had he said yes, according to Entertainment Weekly, Cuban chuckled and predicted, “She would have fired me within six days.”

Different Paths, Different Results

Ultimately, Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Miller speculated that Cuban might have offered a more compelling or disruptive presence on the ticket, according to the New York Post, suggesting he might have been a “meaningfully different” asset in the race. Cuban didn’t disagree. He said the outcome would have been different, but not necessarily better. “My personality is completely different than Tim’s. My experiences, my backgrounds are completely different. I think I've cut through the sh–t more directly. I’m not a politician,” Cuban explained, according to the New York Post. “It would have been different, but it would have been awful.”

Cuban had been a vocal surrogate for Harris on the campaign trail, regularly speaking at rallies and appearing in media interviews in support of her platform. His presence was especially noted after he criticized President Donald Trump during an appearance on “The View,” claiming Trump does not surround himself with “strong, intelligent women,” according to the New York Post.

Post-Biden Pivot and What Might Have Been

Harris stepped into the Democratic presidential nomination spotlight after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July 2024. Cuban became an even more prominent supporter at that point, lending his business-world credibility to Harris’ campaign, especially in key swing states. He said he truly believed she could win - a belief that didn’t pan out, as Donald Trump and JD Vance secured a decisive victory.

“I really thought she was going to win,” Cuban said during the interview, according to Entertainment Weekly, reflecting on the what-could-have-been scenario with a mix of admiration and relief.

What the VP Pick Says About Politics

While the idea of a maverick businessman joining a presidential ticket isn’t entirely new, Cuban’s blunt rejection underscores the ongoing tension between outsider appeal and political tradition. He clearly respects Harris, but he also knows himself - and he knows that playing second fiddle in the rigid confines of a political campaign just isn’t his style.

If nothing else, the revelation adds a curious twist to the postmortem of the 2024 campaign. It also gives us all a glimpse into the kind of leadership team Harris might have envisioned - one that was willing to think well outside the beltway.

Whether voters would’ve embraced a Harris-Cuban ticket remains a matter for political fiction. But thanks to Cuban’s candid commentary, we know one thing for sure: he was never going to be the guy standing a heartbeat away from the presidency.

References: Mark Cuban reveals Kamala Harris considered him as a potential VP - but turned her down | Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban turned down offer to be considered for Kamala Harris’ VP