by Daniel Johnson

November 13, 2024

Trump’s Cabinet And Administration Picks Reportedly Hinge On Loyalty

Loyalty to Trump seems to be a determining factor in the early stages of key Cabinet and other positions in the next Trump administration

Donald Trump has begun nominating and naming his Cabinet members and key administration members at an accelerated pace compared to both his predecessors and his own first term.

According to The Washington Post, loyalty to Trump is a determining factor. In addition to choosing more established Republican politicians for some roles, in others, Trump and his team selected individuals who don’t possess much, if any, governing experience in their related roles to oversee broad policy portfolios.

One selection that has generated particular attention is the surprise choice to appoint Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and combat veteran, as Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth will likely face an uphill battle for Senate confirmation, but he is amenable to Trump’s vision for the military and has criticized military leadership as being too focused on diversity and not on global threats.

According to The Associated Press, Trump has also named noted white nationalist Stephen Miller, his longtime advisor, as one of his deputy chiefs of policy.

Miller was one of the chief architects of Trump’s first term’s immigration policy, including family separation, and Miller has been a key influence on Trump’s more hardline speeches.

At Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden, Miller seemed to set the table for what he could focus on as one of Trump’s unofficial policy czars.

Miller told the crowd, “Your salvation is at hand” after “decades of abuse that has been heaped upon the good people of this nation — their jobs looted and stolen from them and shipped to Mexico, Asia, and foreign countries. The lives of their loved ones were ripped away from them by illegal aliens, criminal gangs, and thugs who don’t belong in this country.”

Trump also appointed former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a selection that seems to mirror his previous term’s selection of Betsy DeVos to lead the Department of Education.

Zeldin, according to a statement released by Trump, is expected to “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses,” as well as maintaining “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”

Zeldin, however, does not come highly recommended by the environmental community, as the League of Conservation Voters scored his eight-year tenure in Congress at 14% regarding his approach to economic policy.

According to his statements to Fox News, Zeldin seems more concerned with business and capitalism than protecting the environment.

Zeldin told the outlet on Nov. 11 that he wants to make sure the United States can “pursue energy dominance … bring back American jobs to the auto industry and so much more.”

He also seemed excited about Trump’s economic agenda, adding, “I think the American people are so hungry for it. It’s one of the big reasons why they’re sending him back to the White House.”

According to The Washington Post, the rapid-fire nature of Trump’s appointments and nominations have left some members of his staff reeling.

One member of his staff told the outlet that “There is a total atmosphere of chaos,” said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity. “No one knows where the leaks are coming from, and nothing is real until Trump announces it.”

Another railed against the selection of Trump loyalist and South Dakota’s Republican Gov. Kristi Noem as Trump’s secretary of homeland security.

“What does she know about FEMA? What does she know about homeland security? She’s the governor of South Dakota!” an anonymous advisor told the Post.

According to James P. Pfiffner, a political scientist at George Mason University, Noem and Hegseth’s appointments will likely be the norm in the next iteration of Trump’s administration.

“The lesson is to have people who are personally loyal and will do anything he wants,” Pfiffner told the Post. “I expect these are going to be people who are really loyal to President Trump rather than taking an oath of office to the Constitution. They are not going to be hesitant about anything he decides to do.”

by Daniel Johnson

November 13, 2024

Sylvester Turner Easily Wins Congressional Seat Left Vacant by Shiela Jackson Lee’s Death

Turner's win after his selection by local Democratic precinct chairs followed a resounding endorsement from the late Sheila Jackson Lee's children, Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner handily won the race for the 18th Congressional District of Texas, beating Republican Lana Centonze by capturing 70% of the heavily Democratic District on Nov. 5.

According to Fox 26, Turner’s win after his selection by local Democratic precinct chairs followed a resounding endorsement from the late Sheila Jackson Lee’s children, Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter.

Jackson Lee died in July following a battle with pancreatic cancer after serving the 18th Congressional District for 30 years.

“We have no doubt Mayor Turner will carry on our mother’s legacy of service because we’ve witnessed it almost our entire lives. Our mother had no greater partner than Mayor Turner, and he honors her with his willingness to dutifully and humbly serve as a sturdy bridge to the next generation of leadership for the historic 18th Congressional District of Texas,” the pair wrote in August.

Turner, formerly a popular mayor in one of the nation’s largest cities, will take over in January 2025 once Lee Carter’s term ends because she won a special election to fill her mother’s seat on Nov. 5.

According to Houston Public Media, Lee Carter also defeated a Republican, Maria Dunn, by a nearly identical margin as Turner, winning 69% of the vote in the special election to fill the remaining two months of her late mother’s term in office.

Lee Carter’s platform focused on education, job training, healthcare, women and families.

Turner’s more expansive policy platform includes hurricane recovery, addressing cancer clusters in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, safety, education, and women’s reproductive rights.

Following his win, Turner spoke to Houston’s KHOU-13 station.

“I look forward to representing people in the 18th over the next few years. Look, you can’t replace Sheila Jackson Lee, but in her memory, you can continue to serve the people in the 18th. You can give them a sort of representation that they rightfully deserve,” Turner said. “You can fight to bring back federal resources. You can fight for affordable healthcare, affordable housing, economic, workforce job opportunities, and infrastructure dollars. Those are the things that they need.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 13, 2024

First African American Museum In Virginia County Honors Activist James Wilson Kilby

Kilby helped desegregate Warren County High School in the 1950s, wanting this legacy memorialized through a museum.

The first African American museum has opened in Warren County, Virginia, fulfilling the legacy of local activist James Wilson Kilby.

According to the Northern Virginia Daily, Kilby helped desegregate Warren County High School in the 1950s. Wanting this legacy memorialized through a museum, he co-wrote a memoir with his daughter, Patricia Kilby-Robb, in 2000 to recall his journey.

Despite dying three years later, Kilby’s legacy finds fulfillment through his daughter. Alongside her husband, Kilby Robb established the James Wilson Kilby African American Museum and Education Center at her family’s home to tell the story of her parents’ fight for justice in the area.

Kilby was born in 1917 in Madison County, Virginia. He and his eventual wife, Catherine Ausberry, came from slavery and transitioned to sharecropping. He wed Ausberry in 1941, moving to Warren County to build a homestead for his family on land he bought with two other men.

The youngest daughter of their five children, Kilby-Robb saw her father become fed up with the abysmal educational opportunities available for colored children. In the county, no schools would take Black students after seventh grade.

“Dad believed in equal education, he was not allowed to go to school full time. They were sharecroppers — they had to work to survive,” stated the doting daughter. “Dad had this protective nature of all of his children, Mom too, but when it came to the girls, he wanted to make sure that nothing happened to them. When my sister was ready to go, he said absolutely not. I’m not letting my daughter get on any bus to go anywhere.”

His dedication to his children’s academics led him, along with other Black parents and the NAACP, to sue the county. A judge ordered the high school to allow the children to enroll as the only option in the area. However, Virginia’s then-governor, J. Lindsay Almond, shut the school down.

Despite this, in February 1959, the Kilbys entered Warren County High School. They also faced violence for their insistence of equality, including bullet holes and burning crosses on their property.

To settle the case, Kilby negotiated with local officials to build a high school for Black students. However, his efforts to provide an academic space for his children and other Black youth in the community will be forever remembered in the museum.

The museum will also include documents and other memories by families who were part of their community. With its grand opening, it will take visitors by appointment.

Elderly, woman, Brooklyn, killed, bricks, NYC apartment

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 13, 2024

Average Cost Of Renting NYC Apartments, Including Broker’s Fee, Hits $13K

A new bill could put an end to the high costs NYC renters are paying in broker's fees.

A new analysis exposes the steep fees New York City brokers charge renters, with costs reaching as high as $13,000.

A recent study by rental-listing company StreetEasy shows that the average upfront cost for renting an apartment in New York City with a broker’s fee has skyrocketed to nearly $13,000. This hefty sum covers the broker’s fee, the first month’s rent, and the security deposit, the NY Post reports.

In 2023, the average upfront cost for apartments with a broker’s fee was $12,667, compared to $9,984 in 2019. The increased figures come at a pivotal moment as New York City prepares for a critical vote by the City Council on Wednesday. The City Council will consider a bill designed to alleviate the financial burden of costly broker fees on tenants. The bill, known as the Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act, seems to have strong, near veto-proof backing.

StreetEasy surveyed over 500 tenants for its study and found that more than 80% of respondents believe landlords should cover broker fees. Additionally, 76% said they felt compelled to pay the broker’s fee to secure a home in New York City’s highly competitive rental market.

“The average New Yorker will be spending more than 10 percent of their annual income just to come up with these upfront costs,” StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee said.

Renters are speaking out against the high fees they were forced to pay brokers to snag an NYC abode.

“It doesn’t seem like that’s something that happens elsewhere,” Kayla, a 31-year-old Williamsburg, Brooklyn, resident, said. She estimates she paid $4,000 in broker fees for her apartment seven years ago. “Because I did all the work for this [apartment], I feel like I wasted my money.”

Jemma Rowlands, from Melbourne, Australia, believes the broker’s fee she paid for her first New York apartment in 2018 felt “expensive and unnecessary.” Doing away with the upfront cost “sounds good to me,” she says of the proposed bill.

Supporters of the council bill argue that it will alleviate the financial burden on renters. However, critics contend that landlords will offset the broker fee by increasing rent prices on annual leases.

“The FARE Act will fundamentally disrupt New York City’s real estate market, raise rents, and make it even more difficult to find an apartment, and nothing StreetEasy has proposed will address any of those concerns,” a rep from the Real Estate Board of New York said.

Supporters of the measure argue that the bill would benefit both tenants and brokers, the latter of whom often work to rent a property without any guaranteed payment.

“Once we see this bill in place, both landlords and agents will have the opportunity to negotiate how the compensation will be taken care of, and tenants will finally have a choice when it comes to if they want to work with a broker,” Lee said.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 13, 2024

Joy Reid Tells White Women ‘Black Women Are Done Helping’

Joy Reid and other Black women are on hiatus.

Joy Reid gives “free advice,” to progressive white women post-election — Black women are off duty. The MSNBC correspondent posted a video to TikTok discussing Black women’s disappointment and frustration with white progressive women.

Reid’s proclamation comes amid calls to protest from white women – 53% of whom voted for Donald Trump. Reid alluded to the 2017 Women’s March, where knitted “P word hats” were worn as a sign of protest against Trump’s 2016 election victory and the threat he posed to women’s rights.

Her message is clear, “don’t send any [protest] invites to Black women.”

“I think Black women are now on the ‘save Black women,’ ‘prioritize Black men’ and ‘prioritize Black communities, Black businesses’ and … you know, the Black spaces,” Joy Reid said. “But ‘save America,’ ‘save the Democratic Party’ – yeah, I don’t think that’s happening.”

@joyreidofficial Just some #freeadvice to #progressives ♬ original sound – Joy Ann Reid

Reid is not the first Black woman to publicly wipe her hands of political advocacy. The 2024 election was what many saw as pivotal in the preservation of democracy. Trump’s attacks on abortion rights, public education, and social security were just a few things that activated Black women and spurred them to action.

Eighty-nine percent of Black women voted for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. More importantly, 89% of Black women voted against Trump’s “concept of a plan.”

The lack of support caused a wave of Black women to denounce their desire to fight.

Yvette Nicole Brown, actress and comedian, posted similar sentiments as Reid to her X account. She spoke of what Black women will do in lieu of joining other coalitions.

“Black women will be at brunch together preparing to save, support, and uphold OURSELVES and each other, alone.”

https://twitter.com/ynb/status/1854671894303457390?s=46

Another woman expressed her disappointment in the lack of morals from voters. She stated explicitly, “We’re done.”

NO. Black women are NOT marching around in circles w/yall again. Until yall are ready to talk to your Aunt peg, meemaw, Uncle bud, Chad & CaroleAnn about their vote & morals, ain't sh1t to march around about.

We are NOT doing the cleanup on aisle 47.

Y'all are on your OWN. pic.twitter.com/Wqc6v4eFgQ
— C. Denise, Thee Gladiator Who is tired. (@KeepinUpWithCDJ) November 6, 2024

Using a video of a content creator, Ms. Cookie, one user pointed out the numbers speak for themselves and Black women “will not be taking hits anymore.”

“You have the numbers to fight for yourselves.”

Yt women on all platforms upset with BW for saying we’re stepping back & letting you handle y’all’s business. No need to be upset as Ms. Cookie says in this video it’s clear you have the numbers to fight your own battles. You’re upset we won’t be taking the hits anymore for you. pic.twitter.com/2GE4LXcHut
— Air-Rum (@__aarum) November 7, 2024

Black women have a long history of standing out front to protect marginalized people. Organizing and creating movements to advocate, Black women have created the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter and have been on the front lines of the #Free Palestine movement. If they are taking a step back, it is well-earned.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 13, 2024

Uber Claims Higher Pay For Drivers In New York City Will Force Layoffs

NYC's Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) is instituting a raise in the minimum pay standard and Uber states doing so will force layoffs

Reportedly, New York City‘s Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) is instituting a raise in the minimum pay standard for drivers in “high-volume” services, which applies to Uber and Lyft. Uber has stated that doing so will effectively force the rideshare company to lay off thousands of its drivers.

According to AMNY, the pay standard has already made Uber too expensive, which has resulted in a decline in trip volume. Raising the standard will come at the expense of the drivers who make their living off the rideshare app. The TLC is expected to announce higher pay standards this month. Uber has asked the agency to lower its “per-mile” rates paid to drivers by 6%, from $1.36 to $1.277. Uber reasons that the pay should be reduced because the company bears the brunt of the cost. They have stated that the drivers are experiencing lower costs due to lower gas prices, the use of used cars, and an overall reduction in inflation.

“It’s time for our governing bodies to wake up,” Uber’s Senior Economist Rodrigo Moser stated in a column on Medium. “You can increase prices all you want — but if fewer people are taking fewer trips, you end up hurting the people you’re trying to help.”

Uber says average prices for Uber and Lyft fares are now 20% higher than they were in 2019, just four years ago. Yet, the companies’ trip volume has decreased for the first time since 2022.

New York bases its pay formula on a “utilization rate.” It measures how long drivers carry passengers versus their total time on the road. If the rate is higher, drivers are suspected of picking up more fares, which allows the apps to pay lower per-minute and per-mile rates to the drivers under the city’s minimum pay rules. But, Uber and Lyft want the utilization rate changed and the payout, like other cities, a minimum pay rule for drivers.

The TLC responded to Uber’s beef with the city.

“Uber recklessly onboarded thousands of drivers for many months, only to lock them out in an effort to pay them less. We haven’t yet introduced rule amendments, but they appear to be already threatening to deactivate the same hardworking drivers if they don’t get the results they want,” said TLC spokesperson Jason Kersten. “We have hired an independent contractor to study driver expenses, and we will see what that study finds before accepting cherry-picked data.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 13, 2024

Man Admits Lying To NYPD About Jordan Neely Trying To Hit Him On NYC Subway

Eric Gonzalez admitted to the lie in his testimony during Penny's criminal trial.

The man who helped former Marine Daniel Penny put Jordan Neely in a chokehold, leading to his death on an NYC subway, admits he lied to authorities about what led to the altercation.

The man, Eric Gonzalez, falsely accused Neely of trying to hit him on the train after discovering Neely died from the assault. According to Gothamist, he admitted to the lie in his testimony during Penny’s criminal trial, sharing that he thought he would be charged with murder if he told the truth.

In his initial interview following the May 2023 incident, Gonzalez told the NYPD that Neely tried to hit him, which led to Penny’s restraint of the Black man. Moreover, after helping Penny restrain him, he claimed that he asked Neely if he was OK. Neely responded, “Yeah.”

However, Gonzalez’s latest testimony unraveled all of his original statements. He was not on the subway with Penny and Neely to see the situation from the beginning. In actuality, he jumped in to help Penny after he walked onto the train and saw the physical confrontation happening.

The incident started after Neely began shouting on the subway about being hungry and willing to die or go to jail, with Penny taking matters to subdue Neely into his own hands. Neely died shortly after Penny restrained him in a chokehold for nearly six minutes, as the former Marine continued to subdue him despite Neely not moving. Video footage of the tragedy went viral on social media, sparking protests and media attention on the instance of vigilantism.

Upon admitting the real story, prosecutors questioned Gonzalez about why he originally said something different. He said he was trying to “justify” why he got involved.

“I was trying to justify my actions for me having my hands on him,” he said.

He did not disclose the truth until authorities told him they had evidence debunking his story. Moreover, Gonzalez originally withheld the correct information out of fear of retribution by the public.

“Public persecution,” Gonzalez said. “I’m scared for myself. I’m scared for my family.”

Prosecutors promised Gonzalez they would not use his true recount of what happened against him. Gonzalez asserts that he got involved to help yet continued restraining Neely with Penny. Gonzalez even put his leg over Neely’s arm after losing his grip on the man.

He added, “I was doing everything possible to basically shut him up.”

He told authorities that he did not see how tight the chokehold was, despite telling a man urging them to let Neely go that Penny was not squeezing his neck.

Penny has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. His defense team claims that the former Marine did not intend to kill Neely.

Gonzalez is one of two men who helped Penny restrain Neely. The other, a German tourist, refused to testify at the trial.

black women, abortion, Lashana Gilmore, Cleopatra Herrera, A Home From Shana, foundation,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 13, 2024

Pregnant Patients Required To Make Upfront Payments Before Giving Birth

Pregnant patients and new parents are speaking out against medical providers who request upfront payments before delivery.

An increasing number of pregnant patients and new parents are expressing frustration over being asked to make upfront payments for labor and delivery before giving birth.

Typically, patients receive a bill only after insurance has covered its portion, which for pregnant patients usually occurs once the pregnancy is complete. However, some pregnant people have been taking to baby message boards and other social media forums to say their providers are asking them to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected, 19th News reports.

While the practice is legal, patient advocacy groups deem it unethical. Medical providers, however, argue that upfront payment requests help ensure they are compensated for their services. However, upfront payments have been hard for researchers to track since they are considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient.

Patients, medical billing experts, and advocates argue that this billing practice adds unexpected anxiety during an already stressful time. The estimates can sometimes exceed what patients ultimately owe, leading them to fight for refunds in cases of miscarriage or overpayment.

It’s “holding their treatment hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the Patient Advocate Foundation.

Kathleen Clark, 39, recalls being just 12 weeks pregnant when her doctor’s office in Cleveland, Tennessee, requested an upfront payment of $960, the estimated amount she would owe after delivery. Clark was taken aback by the charge, especially so early in her pregnancy during her second prenatal visit.

“You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” Clark recalled through tears. “So, I paid it.”

Previously, pregnant patients often faced copayments at each prenatal visit, which sometimes led them to skip essential appointments to save money. However, the Affordable Care Act now mandates that commercial insurers fully cover specific prenatal services.

Additionally, it’s increasingly common for patients to switch providers or receive care from different providers for prenatal visits, labor, and delivery—especially in rural areas where patient transfers are frequent. Some healthcare providers argue that requiring prepayments allows them to spread out costs over the pregnancy, ensuring compensation for care provided, even if they don’t ultimately handle the delivery.

“You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital.

Though the Affordable Care Act mandates insurance coverage for certain prenatal services, it doesn’t prevent providers from billing patients in advance. Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, says that regulating the timing of these payment requests would be politically and logistically difficult for state and federal governments.

Due to the legal gray area, Lacy Marshall, an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to check with their insurer about whether they can decline prepayment of their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit network providers from requiring upfront payments. If clients are allowed to refuse, Marshall recommends they first establish themselves as a patient before declining to ensure they won’t be denied care.

Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, believes asking pregnant patients to prepay “is another gut punch” during an already stressful experience.

“What if you don’t have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?”

RELATED CONTENT: Mom Returns Home After Receiving Heart Transplant Year After Delivering Son

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 13, 2024

Raekwon The Chef Opens Dispensary In Newark

'Cannabis is just one part of our vision for Newark,” says Raekwon the Chef. “We’re not just normalizing cannabis use; we’re using it as a catalyst to uplift our people and culture, much like hip-hop has done for decades.'

Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon the Chef, has announced that he is opening a weed dispensary in Newark, New Jersey.

The Staten Island native posted the news to his social media account, stating that his dispensary, Hashstoria, is opening its doors on Nov. 13 with giveaways, raffles, a DJ, and more goodies for all in attendance. The dispensary is also co-owned by Charlamagne Tha God, former South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers, and entrepreneur Jedd Canty. Newark Councilman and Lords of the Underground group member DoItAll (Du Kelly) will also be there.

“NEW JERSEY and ALL of the surrounding areas, I’m going to need y’all to pull up to this! THIS Wednesday. NOV. 13th, your boy will be hosting an ALL DAY party to celebrate the OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING of my dispensary @HASHSTORIA. You know we are going to turn it up, which is the only way I know how! DJ, FOODTRUCK, GIVEAWAYS, RAFFLES AND TONS Of top tier flower !!!! yess ..

“My partners @cthagod @bakarisellers will be in the building as well alongside Brick City’s own hometown hero @doitallfornewark aka Mr funky Man himself ..who
help me put on for the entire state of NJ !!!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raekwon The Chef (@raekwon)

Jersey Digs says the dispensary is located in the historic Four Corners District at 799-805 Broad Street.

“Cannabis is just one part of our vision for Newark,” says Raekwon the Chef. “We’re not just normalizing cannabis use; we’re using it as a catalyst to uplift our people and culture, much like hip-hop has done for decades.”

Hashstoria is starting as an adult-use cannabis retail space but has plans to become a bigger space for the community when it expands into a premier consumption lounge next year. A wellness center will be in place to improve the community’s health, education, and empowerment.

“We are committed to working with the great city of Newark to safely and legally expand the cannabis industry here,” says Sellers. “We appreciate the collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact in the community by creating opportunities and fostering local talent.”

by Sharelle Burt

November 13, 2024

Mark Cuban Explains Deleting Pro Kamala Harris Material From Social Media

The affable 'Shark Tank' star says he is taking a break from politics.

Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban addressed the reasoning behind deleted tweets in support of Vice President Kamala Harris while claiming a break from politics following Donald Trump’s presidential win.

Popular X account Libs of TikTok pressed Cuban about why he was deleting specific posts after users caught wind.

“I’ve always gone back and deleted tweets. For years. Same with the 2020 election. 2016 election. Same with other stuff. You can use the Wayback machine if you really want to see them,” Cuban replied.

Thank for clarifying. Was this one of your deleted tweets? Why delete it? pic.twitter.com/x18bc6fjVO
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 10, 2024

The account didn’t stop there, questioning why the billionaire about a tweet in which someone accused him of receiving payments from the Harris-Walz campaign, which he denied. However, Cuban did admit to them buying him lunch—twice.

Thank for clarifying. Was this one of your deleted tweets? Why delete it? pic.twitter.com/x18bc6fjVO
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 10, 2024

The Shark Tank star was heavy on the Harris train during her presidential bid, calling Trump out for his anti-women rhetoric and lack of presidential capabilities.

While appearing on ABC’s The View, Cuban said Trump is “never seen around strong, intelligent women ever.” He later backtracked after President Joe Biden received backlash for seemingly calling Trump supporters “garbage.”

Cuban’s tone changed after the shocking results of the 2024 election. After Trump won, the businessman jumped on social media to congratulate him, saying he won “fair and square,” as well as X and Tesla owner Elon Musk, a staunch Trump ally.

Congrats @realDonaldTrump. You won fair and square.

Congrats to @elonmusk as well. #Godspeed
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 6, 2024

According to Newsweek, on the social media platform Bluesky, Cuban claimed he is taking a break from the now GOP-crowded space. “Just an FYI. Don’t expect any politics or speculation about what might happen for a while. I’m sure there will be plenty to comment on when the time comes,” the billionaire said.

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey originally created the app, which is a rival to X. Although he congratulated Musk, Cuban took a little dig at the fellow billionaire.

“Hello, Less Hateful World,” he wrote in response to criticism of X becoming a more right-wing platform under Musk’s ownership.