Entrepreneur Mark Cuban clashed with television host Piers Morgan and billionaire Bill Ackman on social media Monday after the two posted a viral clip of President Biden that some claimed showed him freeze up at a recent fundraiser.
The interaction on the social platform X began on Sunday when Morgan posted a video of Biden and former President Obama waving goodbye to a crowd at the end of a fundraiser in Los Angeles over the weekend. Obama was seen in the video grabbing Biden by the hand and patting him on the back before they walk away.
Morgan shared the video on X writing, “So embarrassing. The Democrats can’t let this go on, surely?”
Ackman reposted Morgan’s remarks, writing a lengthy post about Biden’s age and ability to serve a second term.
“A president should not have to be led off stage by hand or with an arm wrapped around him. That is the not the image of strength and leadership we need as a country,” Ackman said. “Look at what is going on in the world. The perception of weak leadership in the United States has led to global chaos. The reality of weak leadership is a long-term serious and continued threat to our country.”
Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks and “Shark Tank” personality, accused Morgan and Ackman of “pandering” to their social media followers and losing “all objectivity.”
“I’ll let you both in on a secret. BOTH CANDIDATES ARE OLD. VERY OLD. They both are going to have senior moments, mis-remember, forget things and have physical frailties,” Cuban wrote on X. “I’ll tell you a not so secret secret: One is great at soundbites, but also thinks in soundbites. The other is awful at soundbites, but thinks in complete sentences. Voters will decide which we prefer.”
At 81, Biden is the oldest U.S. president. If reelected in 2024, he would be 86 at the end of his second term. He has faced ongoing concerns over his age and ability to carry out a second term if reelected. His political rival, former President Trump, turned 78 last week.
Morgan clapped back at Cuban, writing, “I think Bill and I more consumed with reality than you seem to be, Mr Cuban!”
The former Mavericks owner later quipped about the inevitably of growing old.
“Lol. You are 59. I’m 65. Guess what. Both of our hearing is going to decline. There are going to be things we don’t hear well. Don’t see as well. Words that don’t come as easily. Things that hurt when we move and slow us down. Things we forget and have to make a note of. Now imagine being 78 and 81,” he wrote on X. “But as been stated by many, physical and sensory limitations don’t reflect intellectual capacity.”
“What matters to me is the ability to understand and deal with concepts, strategy and bring together leaders globally,” he added. “To have leadership skills, even if you do them while in a rocking chair.”
The New York Post wrote about the video of Biden under the headline, “Biden appears to freeze up, has to be led off stage by Obama at mega-bucks LA fundraiser,” prompting further reposts of the video on social media over the weekend.
White House and Obama aides have both pushed back on the Post’s characterization of the event.
In a post on X, Eric Schultz, Obama’s senior adviser, reposted the New York Post’s article and said “this did not happen.”
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said the Post was “pretending the President taking in an applauding crowd for a few seconds is somehow wrong. Their ethical standards could deal with a little unfreezing.”
Cuban has defended Biden’s policies in recent months as the incumbent prepares for a rematch against Trump. Last month, the television personality highlighted the state of the economy under Biden, while bashing Trump’s economic policies. Earlier this year, Cuban said he would vote for Biden over Trump, even if “he was being given last rites.”