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GOP Sen. Ted Cruz and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban feuded online Monday over issues involving protests by athletes during the playing of the National Anthem and the NBA’s cozy relationship with Communist China.
The heated exchange began after KSKY talk radio host Mark Davis tagged Cuban in a Twitter post saying, “the minute one player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT,” a reference to American professional athletes who take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem before games in recent years.
“I am so ready to be be [sic] in on this year’s #Mavericks home stretch: so much promise, so much personality. But the minute one player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT. Surely @mcuban can lead the way for #Mavs, #NBA to do whatever gesture they wish without insulting the nation,” Davis wrote.
Cuban responded to Davis by writing, “Bye,” then adding in another tweet, “If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before you start work.”
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1285028393076097029
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1285032212782604289
**Warning: Strong language
Cruz took a screenshot of Cuban’s response and wrote, without tagging him, “NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to ‘piss off’? In Texas, no less?”
Really??!?
NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?
Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
In response, the billionaire entrepreneur and co-host of “Shark Tank” told Cruz to “have some balls, for once.”
“Speak to me. It’s my tweet,” he added.
Have some balls for once @tedcruz. Speak to me. It's my tweet. https://t.co/QGza2qWoRR
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Cruz then responded, “Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China. I’ll wait.”
Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China.
I’ll wait. https://t.co/s68JYk9MLR
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
The NBA has received widespread criticism for its deepening relationship with China, a country known to be responsible for the coronavirus and which is considered by the United States to be its chief rival in the same vein as the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
That relationship was exposed last year after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey voiced his support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Here was the tweet as far as i know. pic.twitter.com/pC6Y3yV43z
— はいい (@clown1208) October 7, 2019
The league apologized to China after Morey’s tweeted remarks, calling them “regrettable.” Morey went on to delete his tweet and issue an apology.
2/ I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA.
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019
In response, the Chinese government canceled an NBA event in Shanghai and the state-run CCTV canceled airing NBA preseason games in October.
When Cuban did not response to Cruz’s question about China, the Texas Republican tweeted a series of questions to the Mavericks owner.
“Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say ‘Free Hong Kong’? Can your players put that on their jerseys? Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs? Can you say ANYTHING other than ‘Chairman Mao is beautiful & wise’?” Cruz wrote.
Still no answer from @mcuban
Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say “Free Hong Kong”?
Can your players put that on their jerseys?
Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs?
Can you say ANYTHING other than “Chairman Mao is beautiful & wise”? https://t.co/0XpLRaFSw2
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Cuban responded with “Black Lives Matter” as he criticized the senator’s response to coronavirus, which is inexplicable given that lone senators do not determine national or even statewide policies regarding outbreaks.
I can say Black Lives Matter. I can say there is systemic racism in this country. I can say there is a Pandemic that you have done little to end. I can say I care about this country first and last and.. https://t.co/URFs41XloY
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
He also tweeted clips of himself being critical of China.
“Why is it, @tedcruz, that you take such pride in standing up to and speaking truth to the Chinese, but you have no ability to stand up to and speak the truth to @realdonaldtrump?” Cuban wrote.
Why is it, @tedcruz, that you take such pride in standing up to and speaking truth to the Chinese, but you have no ability to stand up to and speak the truth to @realdonaldtrump ?
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Cruz answered, “I agree there is a pandemic & we have taken extraordinary steps to defeat it. Where did that pandemic originate? Why did Communist China COVER UP the Wuhan outbreak & arrest whistle-blowers? And why are you terrified to say ONE WORD about China?”
I agree Black Lives Matter.
I agree there is a pandemic & we have taken extraordinary steps to defeat it.
Where did that pandemic originate?
Why did Communist China COVER UP the Wuhan outbreak & arrest whistle-blowers?
And why are you terrified to say ONE WORD about China? https://t.co/Tfj2tZnmCP
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Others were critical of Cuban and the NBA’s ties to China as well.
Marc Cuban hates America. He wants players to kneel
These same athletes stand tall for the Chinese anthem. China is country that doesn’t allow blacks people into certain businesses including McDonalds. They don’t care about blacks people..that’s just their excuse to hate America— Melissa Tate (@TheRightMelissa) July 20, 2020
If Mark Cuban doesn't support America, America shouldn't support Mark Cuban.
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) July 20, 2020
I will always stand for the National Anthem and put my hand over my heart. We are blessed to live in a land of freedom. Those who take that for granted should travel outside the US more.
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) July 20, 2020
Move to China, where you belong.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) July 20, 2020
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Jon@bizpacreview.com
Jon is a staff writer for BizPac Review with 30 years' worth of reporting experience, as well as an author and U.S. Army veteran. He has a BA in political science from Ashford University and an MA in national security studies/intelligence analysis from American Military University.
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