President Trump and Mark Cuban’s “love-hate” relationship was on full display at the White House on Monday when the billionaire businessman joined the president in promoting cheaper prescription drugs available at Trump Rx.
Trump was asked about working with Cuban to lower prescription drug costs despite his endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
“Well, he made a mistake,” Trump quipped. “It was a big mistake.”
Cuban laughed off the remark.
“He was playing,” he told reporters later of the president’s remark. “I’m not going to go there; it doesn’t matter.”
The two men have been friends for over 20 years and Cuban, despite campaigning for Trump’s rival, said after the election it was important to work with the president, describing their relationship as one of “love-hate.”
The two men’s friendly banter and bromance was on display Monday when they were on stage together.
You’re “looking good,” Trump told him, adding the two have “one thing” in common.
“We have the same thing — one thing — in common. We want to make people better and keep them wealthy.”
The former owner of the Dallas Mavericks was clear that he was at the White House to talk about health care and not politics.
“My politics don’t matter to this at all,” he told reporters after the event. He brushed off his previous criticism of Trump as “last season.”
Cuban is the founder of online pharmacy Cost Plus Drugs and was at the White House for Trump’s announcement that 600 generic drugs are being added to the prescription website Trump Rx.
Amazon Pharmacy and GoodRx will join Cost Plus Drugs in selling their wares on the president’s website.
“By incorporating this massive catalog of low-cost generics at TrumpRx.gov, consumers will now have one source to ensure that they’re getting the lowest possible cost on their prescription, so they have a real option now,” Trump said.
Cuban argued health care was a nonpartisan issue and that everyone — Republican, Democrat and independent — wanted costs to go down.
“The goal is to reduce the cost of health care, and we’re 100% aligned,” he said of his work with Trump.
“My politics don’t matter to this at all,” he said, refusing to be drawn into political games.
He was clear that health care was his new passion.
“I’ll align with anyone,” he said. “If you’re going to make health care cheaper, you’re my new best friend.”
He founded his pharmaceutical website in 2022. It skirts insurance to sell drugs at cost with a 15% markup and fee for pharmacy labor and shipping. The company also posts how much it paid manufacturers for the medicines it sells in an effort to boost transparency.
Cuban said his goal was to help make health care — one of the most expensive industries — cheaper for all Americans. Health care costs in the United States generally grow faster than inflation, and it’s one of the most expensive cost-of-living items for people.
Cuban, who at one point had mulled his own presidential ambitions, ruled out running as he stood outside the West Wing with the White House visible behind him.
“Hell no,” he said, dripping in sweat on the 92-degree day. “Too hot.”
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