Mark Cuban Drops Bombshell Praise For Elon Musk: ‘Most Billionaires Are Cowards — Musk Put His Own Skin In The Game’

In a fiery exchange that set social media ablaze, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban didn’t hold back last week when he called Elon Musk “possibly the greatest manufacturing builder of all time” — while simultaneously challenging Musk on one of the most controversial topics in global economics: tariffs.

Cuban, known for his blunt takes and razor-sharp business acumen, took to X (formerly Twitter) to address Musk directly, igniting a conversation that struck at the heart of the free trade vs.

protectionism debate.

“Hey @elonmusk, you may be the greatest manufacturing builder of all time,” Cuban wrote.

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“Did you need protective tariffs in order to manufacture in the USA? Or were private capital, your investment, and local and federal government incentives the difference?”

But it was Cuban’s next line that sent shockwaves through the business world.

“What I respect most about you is that you go all in with your own money for your startups.

 Most people don’t have the balls to do it.“

The Billionaire Divide: Builders vs. Protectors

Cuban’s comments struck a nerve at a moment when trade policy has become ground zero for political and economic warfare.

Former President Donald Trump recently announced sweeping new tariffs — including a 20% tax on imports from the European Union — rattling markets and sending tech stocks into a nosedive.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Musk’s crown jewel of American manufacturing, took a double-digit hit in the fallout.

But Musk didn’t flinch.

Speaking at The League Congress in Italy, Musk doubled down on his long-held position: zero tariffs and free trade between Europe and North America.

“The freer the trade, the better it is for consumers and innovation,” Musk said.

Cuban didn’t disagree.

In fact, he praised Musk’s approach while firing shots at Washington’s economic playbook.

“0 tariffs (free trade as Elon proposes) makes it cheaper to make overseas than it was under Biden,” Cuban wrote.

“Which is great for consumers.”

The Warning: Protectionism Has A Price

But Cuban wasn’t done.

While praising Musk’s gutsy, self-funded approach to building Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, Cuban warned that tariffs — while politically popular — could backfire spectacularly.

In a follow-up post, he outlined a stark scenario: if Trump’s real goal is deficit reduction, then heavy tariffs combined with aggressive spending cuts could squeeze the economy so hard that the Federal Reserve is forced to slash interest rates.

“Tariffs are a short-term weapon,” Cuban explained.

“But they’re dangerous if overused.”

Why Cuban’s Words Matter

Mark Cuban isn’t just another billionaire shouting from the sidelines.

He’s a seasoned investor who has weathered multiple economic cycles — and his words carry weight in both Silicon Valley and Washington.

His message to Musk was clear: Elon didn’t need protectionist policies to build some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing companies.

He needed guts, vision, and personal risk.

“Most billionaires hedge their bets.

 Musk bets the house.”

In an era where government bailouts, corporate subsidies, and political handouts dominate headlines, Cuban’s praise of Musk feels almost radical.

It’s a reminder that in the brutal arena of global capitalism, real builders don’t wait for permission — they create the future with their own money on the line.

And according to Cuban, that’s a game most billionaires simply don’t have the stomach to play.