Billionaire Mark Cuban is feeling the cost of his political opinions—literally. Just hours after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in her 2024 presidential campaign, the Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank star saw his net worth take a nosedive, plummeting by a jaw-dropping $2 billion. The endorsement, meant to show support for Harris’s stance on technology, artificial intelligence, and small business reform, has turned out to be one of the most financially disastrous statements in Cuban’s career.

“Money isn’t the point here, but $2 billion… wow,” Cuban said in a phone interview, attempting to laugh off the staggering loss. “Turns out standing up for what you believe in really does come at a price.” While the billionaire appeared unfazed, his followers and financial analysts are less optimistic, seeing this drastic hit as a cautionary tale for any other moguls tempted to mix business with politics.

The debacle began when Cuban publicly endorsed Harris, praising her understanding of technology and her commitment to lowering healthcare costs—issues he believes are vital for the country’s future. “She gets it,” Cuban said in an interview with The Guardian. “Kamala understands technology and AI in a way that can make a real difference for national security and business stability.” He also voiced his disapproval of Donald Trump’s tariffs, arguing that they harm small businesses and disrupt economic stability.

However, this endorsement didn’t sit well with a significant portion of his backers. Investors saw Cuban’s shift as a departure from his usual pragmatic approach, sparking widespread panic that led to the rapid sell-off of stocks in Cuban’s ventures. “Cuban’s endorsement of Harris came across as too politically charged,” one Wall Street analyst explained. “Investors didn’t know what to make of it, so they bailed.”

For years, Cuban’s financial decisions have been widely respected for their focus on profitability and growth. But his foray into the political arena with a $2 billion price tag has left investors and fans alike reeling. Within hours of the endorsement going public, his various holdings saw sudden drops, with several prominent backers pulling out their stakes.

“We trusted Cuban because he’s always been about smart, calculated risks,” an anonymous investor lamented. “Now he’s putting billions on the line to endorse a politician? It’s one thing to have an opinion; it’s another to make it your brand.” On financial news forums, frustrated investors expressed anger and disbelief, with comments like, “Politics doesn’t pay—Cuban just proved it” and “I didn’t sign up for a political rollercoaster.”

As news of Cuban’s financial hit broke, social media users wasted no time weighing in. Memes and hashtags like #BrokeCuban and #CubanCrash began trending within minutes. Twitter was filled with reactions ranging from sympathy to outright mockery, with one user quipping, “Guess Cuban just proved the sharks can be eaten too!” Others took the opportunity to remind Cuban of his previous advice to entrepreneurs to “stay focused on the numbers.”

Even Cuban’s fans found themselves torn. “I admire his courage,” one wrote, “but $2 billion just for supporting a candidate? Maybe he should’ve run this one by his accountants first.” Meanwhile, critics of Cuban were quick to label the situation as a “financial downfall of epic proportions,” jokingly suggesting he apply to Shark Tank as a contestant to pitch his latest strategy for political endorsement recovery.

Despite the overwhelming backlash, Cuban remains defiant. In a statement posted on his social media, he reiterated his support for Harris and assured fans that he’d weather the financial storm. “If standing up for what I believe in costs me $2 billion, so be it,” he wrote. “This isn’t about money—it’s about the future we’re building.”

Unsurprisingly, Cuban’s post did little to reassure rattled investors. “$2 billion may not matter to him, but it matters to us,” tweeted a disgruntled shareholder. “If Cuban’s willing to gamble billions on politics, what else is he willing to risk?” Cuban’s stance, while principled, has left some questioning his commitment to the financial security he’s long preached to aspiring entrepreneurs.

News of Cuban’s loss quickly spread through the celebrity world, with reactions ranging from support to mild ridicule. Fellow billionaire Elon Musk posted a cryptic tweet, “Maybe there’s a lesson here, Mark: rockets don’t do politics.” Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, stayed silent, with sources suggesting he’s “happy to watch from the sidelines.”

Not all responses were jabs, though. Pop superstar Taylor Swift, another Harris supporter, posted on Instagram, “Money can’t buy integrity. Proud of you, Mark.” Similarly, Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo commended Cuban’s stance, writing, “The price tag may be high, but values are priceless.”

For many financial analysts, the real question now is whether Cuban’s reputation—and net worth—can recover from this unexpected political move. While some argue that Cuban’s track record speaks for itself and that he’ll bounce back, others are skeptical. “The financial world has a long memory,” one analyst noted. “Investors are going to think twice before trusting someone who’s willing to lose billions for a political statement.”

The endorsement has also raised broader questions about the place of politics in the business world. Cuban’s $2 billion hit could serve as a stark warning to other billionaires who may feel tempted to throw their financial weight behind political causes. “People may admire Cuban’s stance,” said a financial columnist, “but money doesn’t have political loyalty. Just because Cuban believes in a candidate doesn’t mean his investors will follow suit.”

Now facing a substantial financial hit, Cuban’s next steps will be critical. Will he double down on his endorsement of Harris and risk alienating more investors, or will he pivot back to a business-focused approach in an attempt to regain their trust? So far, Cuban seems unfazed, with sources close to him claiming he’s already working on strategies to rebound from the $2 billion loss.

But Cuban, known for his tenacity, appears unwilling to give up his public stance. “I didn’t get to where I am by playing it safe,” he told reporters. “I got here by following my instincts, and I’m not about to change that now. If it means taking a hit, I can take a hit. What matters is that I believe in Kamala Harris and what she stands for.”

Only time will tell if Cuban’s latest gamble will ultimately pay off or serve as a lasting cautionary tale. For now, the billionaire seems to be down $2 billion but up in convictions, even if some of his investors aren’t buying in.