Investor and reality television personality Mark Cuban doubled down on his praise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) business policies after United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner Andrea R. Lucas called his ethics into question.
Lucas, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, said Cuban's practices of DEI policy was "dead wrong on black-letter Title VII law."
"As a general rule, race/sex can't even be a 'motivating factor'—nor a plus factor, tie-breaker, or tipping point," she wrote in response to the investor.
Cuban conducted an "ask me anything" on his X account Monday afternoon and was met with a series of users similarly pushing back on his praise of DEI.
One user asked why Cuban wouldn't hire someone based on their diversity of background rather than a candidate's race.
"Race is part of the equation, never the deciding factor. As is diversity of background," the investor responded.
Another user asked if he believed one could oppose the implementation of DEI in American business culture without being racist, to which Cuban agreed.
"Being against it does not make you a racist," he said.
One user asked if Cuban had ever decided to hire someone based on the color of their skin when two candidates had equal credentials.
"Never," the investor responded. "But remember, it's rare that two people are absolutely equal. In fact, it's pretty much impossible for that to happen. People aren't clones."
"It's always judgement, and we always hire the person who puts the company in the best position to succeed," he added.
Rebel News' Ian Miles Cheong directly asked Cuban for his response to EEOC Commissioner Lucas.
"All of our decisions are based on hiring the best candidate," Cuban wrote. "Can't say it any more often than I have to."
The Rabbit Hole, the user who originally engaged the investor in a nearly day-long back and forth, said Cuban's insistence to pursue DEI policies in business practices was a "bold move," to which X owner Elon Musk said Cuban deserved "Defiant L of the week award."
Cuban's conversation was spurred after the investor shared an NBC News article on "right-wing influencers'" criticism of DEI policies.
Cuban detailed his own theories and business practices which include valuing diversity hires as an asset to placing his businesses in favorable positions for success and insisted he had never hired anyone based "exclusively" on race, gender, or religion.
"I only ever hire the person that will put my business in the best position to succeed," he wrote in response to The Rabbit Hole.
"And yes, race and gender can be part of the equation," he continued. "I view diversity as a competitive advantage."
Cuban is most notably the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and has a net worth of $6.2 billion, per Forbes. The investor has also starred on business reality television series Shark Tank since 2009.
