Billionaire Mark Cuban is feeling the cost of his political opinionsliterally. Just hours after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in her 2024 presidential campaign, the Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank star saw his net worth take a nosedive, plummeting by a jaw-dropping $2 billion. The endorsement, meant to show support for Harriss stance on technology, artificial intelligence, and small business reform, has turned out to be one of the most financially disastrous statements in Cubans career.

Money isnt the point here, but $2 billion wow, Cuban said in a phone interview, attempting to laugh off the staggering loss. Turns out standing up for what you believe in really does come at a price. While the billionaire appeared unfazed, his followers and financial analysts are less optimistic, seeing this drastic hit as a cautionary tale for any other moguls tempted to mix business with politics.

The debacle began when Cuban publicly endorsed Harris, praising her understanding of technology and her commitment to lowering healthcare costsissues he believes are vital for the countrys future. She gets it, Cuban said in an interview with The Guardian. Kamala understands technology and AI in a way that can make a real difference for national security and business stability. He also voiced his disapproval of Donald Trumps tariffs, arguing that they harm small businesses and disrupt economic stability.

However, this endorsement didnt sit well with a significant portion of his backers. Investors saw Cubans shift as a departure from his usual pragmatic approach, sparking widespread panic that led to the rapid sell-off of stocks in Cubans ventures. Cubans endorsement of Harris came across as too politically charged, one Wall Street analyst explained. Investors didnt know what to make of it, so they bailed.

For years, Cubans financial decisions have been widely respected for their focus on profitability and growth. But his foray into the political arena with a $2 billion price tag has left investors and fans alike reeling. Within hours of the endorsement going public, his various holdings saw sudden drops, with several prominent backers pulling out their stakes.

We trusted Cuban because hes always been about smart, calculated risks, an anonymous investor lamented. Now hes putting billions on the line to endorse a politician? Its one thing to have an opinion; its another to make it your brand. On financial news forums, frustrated investors expressed anger and disbelief, with comments like, Politics doesnt payCuban just proved it and I didnt sign up for a political rollercoaster.

As news of Cubans financial hit broke, social media users wasted no time weighing in. Memes and hashtags like #BrokeCuban and #CubanCrash began trending within minutes. Twitter was filled with reactions ranging from sympathy to outright mockery, with one user quipping, Guess Cuban just proved the sharks can be eaten too! Others took the opportunity to remind Cuban of his previous advice to entrepreneurs to stay focused on the numbers.

Even Cubans fans found themselves torn. I admire his courage, one wrote, but $2 billion just for supporting a candidate? Maybe he shouldve run this one by his accountants first. Meanwhile, critics of Cuban were quick to label the situation as a financial downfall of epic proportions, jokingly suggesting he apply to Shark Tank as a contestant to pitch his latest strategy for political endorsement recovery.

Despite the overwhelming backlash, Cuban remains defiant. In a statement posted on his social media, he reiterated his support for Harris and assured fans that hed weather the financial storm. If standing up for what I believe in costs me $2 billion, so be it, he wrote. This isnt about moneyits about the future were building.

Unsurprisingly, Cubans post did little to reassure rattled investors. $2 billion may not matter to him, but it matters to us, tweeted a disgruntled shareholder. If Cubans willing to gamble billions on politics, what else is he willing to risk? Cubans stance, while principled, has left some questioning his commitment to the financial security hes long preached to aspiring entrepreneurs.

News of Cubans loss quickly spread through the celebrity world, with reactions ranging from support to mild ridicule. Fellow billionaire Elon Musk posted a cryptic tweet, Maybe theres a lesson here, Mark: rockets dont do politics. Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, stayed silent, with sources suggesting hes happy to watch from the sidelines.

Not all responses were jabs, though. Pop superstar Taylor Swift, another Harris supporter, posted on Instagram, Money cant buy integrity. Proud of you, Mark. Similarly, Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo commended Cubans stance, writing, The price tag may be high, but values are priceless.