Mark Cuban, the billionaire investor and "Shark Tank" star, has accused social media algorithms of pushing pro-Trump content to young male viewers, influencing their decision-making in the upcoming midterm elections.
Mark Cuban, the billionaire investor and "Shark Tank" star, has sounded the alarm over the influence of social media algorithms on young male voters, particularly in favor of former President Donald Trump.
Social Media Algorithms Targeting Young Male Voters for Trump, Says Mark Cuban
Speaking to MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace, Cuban highlighted the so-called "manosphere" online community, where men are increasingly drawn to Trump's "gangsta" appeal rather than his policies.
"I have talked to people who said they like Trump because he's a 'gangsta,'" Cuban said. "I'm like, that's why you're going to vote for him?"
Social Media Algorithms Targeting Young Male Voters for Trump, Says Mark Cuban
Cuban argued that social media addiction has created a pipeline for men to be bombarded with aggressive, Trump-related content, particularly through memes.
"When you see those memes repeated hundreds and hundreds of times a day, you can't expect them to all of a sudden start reading to find out if it's true, to find out if the information is accurate," he said.
Social Media Algorithms Targeting Young Male Voters for Trump, Says Mark Cuban
Cuban emphasized that this nonstop repetition influences their decision-making, and the challenge for the Harris campaign is to "reverse-engineer" these algorithms and counter their effects.
Wallace pointed to Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter and X, as one of the purveyors of these algorithms. Cuban acknowledged Musk's brilliance as an entrepreneur and engineer but labeled him "the world's biggest troll."
Social Media Algorithms Targeting Young Male Voters for Trump, Says Mark Cuban
Cuban's comments echo the concerns raised by several researchers and activists about the manipulative nature of social media algorithms, which can amplify misinformation and polarize political views.
Cuban's Wisconsin campaign appearance came as Musk stumped for Trump in Pennsylvania, highlighting the increasingly intertwined nature of politics and social media in the 2022 midterms.
Cuban's endorsement of Harris reflects a growing trend of high-profile individuals speaking out against Trump's rhetoric and policies, particularly among the younger generation.
The midterm elections are widely seen as a referendum on the Biden administration's performance and will shape the balance of power in Congress.
Social media platforms have emerged as key battlegrounds for political campaigns, with both sides seeking to influence voters and spread their messages through targeted advertising and content amplification.
The ongoing debate over the role of social media in politics is likely to intensify as the midterm elections approach, with experts and policymakers grappling with the potential consequences of algorithms that may sway public opinion.
