GOP Women Fire Back at Mark Cuban’s ‘The View’ Remarks: ‘We’re Strong, We’re Intelligent, and We Stand with Trump’

GOP Women Fire Back at Mark Cuban’s ‘The View’ Remarks: ‘We’re Strong, We’re Intelligent, and We Stand with Trump'”

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a heated exchange that has since reverberated through conservative circles, billionaire Mark Cuban sparked a political firestorm on Thursday when he suggested on ABC’s “The View” that former President Donald Trump is “never” around “strong and intelligent women.” According to a report in The New York Post, Cuban’s comments implied that powerful, capable women intimidate Trump, especially when they challenge him on contentious issues such as reproductive rights. Cuban went on to argue that Trump “can’t have [Nikki Haley] around” because she would hold him accountable, particularly regarding women’s rights and other socially charged topics.

Marc Cuban – Misogynist – Women who like Trump are Stupid A/F – Zero Class Moron. pic.twitter.com/SwoyhPdBuj

— shawnmesaros (@shawnmesaros) October 31, 2024

Cuban’s remarks, however, struck a nerve among prominent Republican women, many of whom were quick to dispute his characterization and express both offense and disbelief. They emphasized their own careers and close professional ties with Trump as evidence that Cuban’s comments couldn’t be further from the truth. The timing of the controversy only heightened the stakes: it came on the heels of an equally controversial remark from President Joe Biden, who had recently described Trump supporters as “garbage,” as reported by The New York Post.

Shortly after Cuban’s comments aired, a cadre of Republican women responded, many posting pictures with Trump as a show of solidarity and to underscore their achievements and influence within his administration.

. @mcuban is an absolute loser. Probably thought no one would see or hear him because he was @TheView. Explanation/apology coming soon – no thanks. You’re on the wrong side of history, Mark. You won’t chair the SEC! Cuban = 💩 https://t.co/6Pp7lUbdU8

— FUMRetrograde (@FU_MRetrograde) October 31, 2024

Leading the charge was Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a high-profile Trump ally who took Cuban’s comments head-on. According to The New York Post report, Stefanik’s rebuke of Cuban’s remarks didn’t mince words. “Democrats have an uncanny ability to say what they think, to show their disdain for the American people,” she remarked, drawing a connection between Cuban’s comments and President Biden’s recent “garbage” remark about Trump supporters. “And then we have Kamala Harris’s top ally basically calling women who support President Trump weak and dumb, saying that you can’t be strong and intelligent and support President Trump. That is the disgraceful closing argument that Democrats are making,” Stefanik continued, condemning what she saw as a condescending portrayal of Trump-supporting women.

Stefanik’s words highlight a longstanding grievance within the GOP regarding perceptions of bias and elitism from the Democratic Party. Her reference to Cuban as “Kamala Harris’s top ally” was a clear signal to voters, calling attention to what she and other conservatives see as a coordinated attempt to demean not only Trump but his entire base of supporters, including influential women who have risen through the ranks of his administration. The report in The New York Post also highlighted that Stefanik is among a growing number of Republican women actively campaigning on these grievances, portraying Democrats as out of touch with everyday Americans.

Former White House press secretary and current Fox News co-host Kayleigh McEnany echoed Stefanik’s criticism. As was reported by The Post, McEnany listed several women who served in Trump’s administration, presenting them as counterexamples to Cuban’s “offensive” generalization. “I worked for Donald Trump,” she said. “I consider myself a strong woman. I consider those around me strong women. Kellyanne Conway, Brooke Rollins, Ivanka Trump, Hope Hicks, Sarah Sanders.” McEnany’s emphasis on these names was no accident—each has held a significant role under Trump, and each remains influential in conservative politics.

McEnany also referenced figures such as Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Trump appointee, as well as former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has been openly supportive of Trump and who Cuban specifically mentioned in his comments on “The View.” The New York Post report also noted that McEnany’s remarks were aimed at dismantling the notion that Trump systematically surrounds himself with submissive women. “That’s before we get to the women Donald Trump elevated to very high levels,” McEnany continued, “like Nikki Haley who still supports him, like Amy Coney Barrett, who he put on the Supreme Court.”

McEnany’s response, shared on the popular Fox News program “Outnumbered,” gained immediate traction on social media, where Republican women continued to amplify her message. The New York Post report indicated that McEnany’s defense illustrates a broader conservative backlash against attempts by high-profile figures such as Cuban to paint Trump as dismissive of or antagonistic toward intelligent women.

Cuban’s comments may have been directed at Trump, but they appear to have unintentionally galvanized a significant segment of Trump’s base: Republican women. The New York Post observed that, with just days left until Election Day, Cuban’s remarks have energized Republican women to rally behind Trump. His insinuations may ultimately work in Trump’s favor by highlighting the female voices that stand in staunch opposition to the Democrats and their criticisms.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), a vocal advocate for conservative values and ardent Trump supporter, expressed her disapproval of Cuban’s comments in stark terms. The New York Post report indicated that Luna stated, “Mark Cuban just went on ‘The View’ this morning and said that there are no strong or intelligent women that support President Trump, which is by definition misogyny.” She argued that Cuban’s statements were not only disparaging but reflective of a condescending mindset that she believes permeates certain sectors of society.

Calling Cuban an “out-of-touch billionaire,” Luna accused him of trying to “bully women” into supporting candidates such as Vice President Kamala Harris. “He’s an elitist, again, out of touch, but he’s also part of the same party that’s trying to remove ‘mothers,’ that are trying to call us ‘birthing persons’ or ‘chest-feeders,’” she continued, referencing debates over progressive language surrounding gender and parenting roles. Luna’s comments reflected her frustration with the hypocrisy within the Democratic Party, suggesting that it champions inclusivity while attempting to dictate or diminish the voices of conservative women.

The backlash extended beyond Luna, with other key figures in Trump’s campaign and conservative circles voicing their dissent. Janiyah Thomas, the Trump campaign’s black media director, also took Cuban to task in a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter). Thomas, who identifies as “a strong, intelligent black woman” and an active Trump supporter, recorded a video that was both assertive and direct. According to The New York Post report, Thomas addressed Cuban by reminding him of a recent encounter: “Hey Mark, you remember me? Last week you asked if I wanted to take a picture with you.” She added, “Not only are you arrogant, but you’re misogynistic too. My name is Janiyah Thomas, and I’m supporting Donald J. Trump for president.” Her statement emphasized that her support for Trump is both voluntary and well-considered, countering any insinuations that women who support Trump are not “intelligent” or “strong.”

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a prominent Republican and steadfast Trump ally, joined the chorus with her own retort. As reported by The New York Post, Noem responded with a short but defiant message aimed at Cuban, positioning herself as a symbol of the very strength and intellect he overlooked. “Mark Cuban just said he’s never seen President Donald Trump around strong and intelligent women. Well, game on buddy,” Noem declared, underscoring her confidence by folding her arms. She then issued a playful yet pointed challenge, “I’ll take you on any day in a debate, or maybe even arm wrestling.” Noem’s response was emblematic of her public persona, reflecting both her competitive spirit and her commitment to challenging stereotypes about conservative women.

Additionally, the Trump campaign’s Hispanic communications director, Vianca Rodríguez, further diversified the voices opposing Cuban’s comments by addressing him in Spanish on X. The New York Post said that Rodríguez proudly identified herself as a “strong, intelligent” Latina who fully supports Trump’s bid for re-election. She proclaimed, “I am Vianca Rodríguez. I am a Latina, Puerto Rican, strong, intelligent woman that is extremely proud to support President Donald Trump and to have the honor to work for him,” punctuating her statement with the hashtag #DealWithIt. Rodríguez’s post highlighted the Trump campaign’s outreach to Hispanic communities and highlighted her identity as a Latina whose support for Trump is both deliberate and unequivocal.

One of the most forceful rebuttals comes from Jessie Jane Duff, a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and executive director of Veterans for Trump. In her statements, Duff, a decorated veteran with a long history of service, highlighted her achievements and criticized Cuban’s comments, portraying them as dismissive of both her and countless other women who choose to stand with Trump.

According to The New York Post, Duff responded in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), introducing herself in direct response to Cuban’s remarks. “So Mark Cuban doesn’t think I’m strong or intelligent,” she began, adding a pointed introduction of her credentials and role. “Let me introduce myself. I’m a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant & served 20 years on active duty. I was selected by President Trump to be his Executive Director Veterans for Trump, the largest coalition of the 2024 campaign.”

As reported by The New York Post, Duff went on to draw from Trump’s historical record of appointing women to prominent leadership roles, directly referencing a notable instance from Trump’s early days in real estate. She pointed to an example from 1980, when Trump selected a 31-year-old woman to oversee the construction of Trump Tower, then one of the most ambitious real estate projects in New York City. According to Duff, this choice demonstrated Trump’s willingness to trust young, talented women with substantial responsibility long before such appointments were commonly seen in the corporate world.

“Are you saying I’m not strong or intelligent?” Duff asked, rhetorically confronting Cuban’s remark. “You’d have to look much further, go back to 1980, to see the record that president has with selecting strong and intelligent women.” By referencing this moment in Trump’s career, Duff highlighted Trump’s commitment to empowering women in leadership roles and his willingness to defy convention in doing so.

Other prominent GOP women have also weighed in on Cuban’s incendiary remarks.

Susie Wiles, Trump campaign co-manager posted: “I’m told @mcuban needs help identifying the strong and intelligent women surrounding Pres. Trump. Well, here we are! I’ve been proud to lead this campaign. Complimented by @Linda_McMahon, Chair for Transition Policy and @LaraLeaTrump, RNC Co-Chair.”

Lara Trump, RNC co-chair said, “Just when you think the Kamala camp can’t possibly alienate and divide people any more than they already have…now they attack women who support Trump. Nice job, Mark.”

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) said, “I worked for President Trump for two-and-a-half years. Democrats tried to tear me down; President Trump tried to empower me and every other woman in America.”

Kellyanne Conway, former White House senior counselor said, “I looked around the Roosevelt Room one day … and I saw Brooke Rollins, Ivanka Trump, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Mercedes Schlapp, and me. Between the five of us, we had 19 children — at the time, ages 2-16. We had the highest rank in the White House as strong, intelligent women.”

Brooke Rollins, former White House domestic policy chief said, “Mark Cuban, did you know we had more women on senior staff — working moms — than any other White House in the history of this country?”

Mercedes Schlapp, former White House senior advisor posted, “Hey @KamalaHarris , get your surrogates under control. Your campaign has spent more time calling us Nazis and racists instead of talking about policies. Enough with attacking the Trump supporters by calling us garbage and now insulting women. My Latina mother, my mother in law, my daughters and my women friends are strong and intelligent and support TRUMP!”

May Mailman, former White House counsel said, “Dems calling women dumb and weak is one way to go about it. “

Jennifer Korn, former White House deputy assistant posted, “Will Kamala denounce his remarks? 5 days from the Election, this is a horrible strategy. I worked for #Trump all 4 years in WH & saw him hire MANY STRONG INTELLIGENT WOMEN, including Latinas like me.”

Alina Habba, attorney said, “You’re putting women down? See, President Trump doesn’t do that. He surrounds himself with strong women like me.”

Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary posted. “@mcuban this is extremely insulting to the thousands of women who work for President Trump, and the tens of millions of women who are proudly voting for him. These women are mothers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. And yes, we are strong AND intelligent! #WomenForTrump”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) said, “More of the same condescending rhetoric from Harris allies. This strong, intelligent woman voted for Donald J. Trump — and I’ve been proud to be on the road across this great country with @TeamTrump !”

Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) posted: “@mcuban I’ve been a CEO and professional sports team owner JUST like you. I’m one of the millions of strong, conservative women who back Trump. You might think we’re stupid, or that we’re garbage. We think it’s time to replace you and Kamala with leaders who don’t hate us.”

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (WY-AL) said, “What unadulterated hogwash. This coming from a party that can’t even define what a ‘woman’ is? I can assure you that the strong, independent, and intelligent women of Wyoming support President Trump because we support his policies.”

Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) said, “Mark Cuban and the Democrats don’t think strong women are voting for President Trump? Well, I know a lot of mothers, grandmothers, and farmers who disagree!”

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (MI-09) said, “Whatever happened to the Harris campaign of joy? I think that’s gone by the wayside. It’s nothing but a campaign now of lies, of division, of deceit — and now bullying.”

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) said, “Cuban is actually intimidated by strong, intelligent women.”

Monica Crowley, former assistant secretary of the treasury posted, “What an ignorant, insulting statement. THIS strong, intelligent woman has supported President Trump from Day One – because I want a robust economy, low inflation, cheap gas, an enforced border, law & order, & peace through strength. If YOU were strong & intelligent, you’d want those things too. Stop the bullying & vote for Trump.”

Harris Faulkner of Fox News said, “As a woman, I have questions. I want to know — are you big enough, are you man enough to apologize?”

Sage Steele, former ESPN anchor said, “”How about your own daughters? What if some day they decide to think differently than you with their politics? Are they not strong and unintelligent? What is that? You talk about not being divisive, and look at what you’re doing.”

Danica Patrick, former professional racing driver said, “When I met Trump in Vegas last week at the rally for the first time, he said, ‘We need to get you a job!” So am I not strong and intelligent?”

Kimberly Guilfoyle, formerly of Fox News said, “Message to Mark Cuban: You can’t lift yourself up by tearing other women down.”

Kim Fletcher, founder of Moms for America said, “I am a smart and intelligent woman and I absolutely stand with President Trump because I am a smart, intelligent woman.”

Kaylee McGhee White, of The Washington Examiner said, “I’m starting to pick up on a pattern here — that when they’re backed into a corner, they lash out, and the first thing that comes out of their lips is an insult to the people who they think they can’t control. As a young woman, this was extremely offensive.”

Tiffany Justice of Moms for Liberty said, “Not only am I smart and strong, I’m proud to be a woman that protects other women and girls in women’s sports. That’s why I’m voting for President Trump.”

Katie Frost a CNN contributor said, “Strong!  Intelligent! Supporting Trump!”

Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America posted, “I beg to differ @mcuban. Do you hear yourself?”

Catalina Lauf, the founder of Defense of Freedom said, “To say that Trump does not surround himself around strong and smart women is so disrespectful — all for politics? You say that women like us aren’t smart, Mark, but somehow we were smart enough to be asked to audition on Shark Tank…”

The collective response from these women illustrates the broader political and cultural dynamics at play in the 2024 presidential campaign. For many, Cuban’s remarks appeared to embody a form of elitism that they see as dismissive of their political autonomy and intelligence. From different backgrounds and communities, Luna, Thomas, Noem, Rodríguez and Duff and many others each pushed back against an attempt to demean or delegitimize their support for Trump.

As The New York Post reported, this exchange points to an intensifying debate over identity, representation, and political values in the United States, with Trump’s female supporters insisting that they cannot be easily categorized or dismissed. Their responses shed light on a growing insistence within conservative circles that women, regardless of political affiliation, should not be subject to monolithic assumptions or disparaging generalizations.