Was it really just a week ago that Donald Trump offered to give $5 million to the charity of President Barack Obama’s choice if he would release his college transcripts and a passport application?
Trump’s self-serving, conspiratorial “October Surpise” was nothing more than fodder for the comedy and talk shows. And, it seems, for Mark Cuban. Last week the Dallas Mavericks owner went on Dallas’s Fox 4 with a challenge of his own:
If you couldn’t bear to watch, we’ll spell it out for you: Cuban said he’d donate $1 million to the charity of Trump’s choice if “The Donald” would shave his head.
Well, it took Trump a few days, but on Monday, he responded by pooh-poohing Cuban’s offer, while pointing out that, he, Donald Trump, was both wealthier than Mark Cuban, and a more successful reality television star than Mark Cuban.
A sampling of the tweets from both men:
Dummy @mcuban is at it again trying to use me to get publicity for himself!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2012
Only 1 mill. dollars @mcuban? Offer me real money and I’d consider it. Your team and networks lose so much money I doubt you have much left!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2012
.@mcuban Baseball commissioner and owners were smart when they didn’t want you to buy a team— but I don’t think you have the money anyway.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2012
. @realdonaldtrump Ok DJT, Im already in 1mm for #Sandy victims, if it all is dedicated to #Sandy rebuild , here is what i will do…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 5, 2012
. @realdonaldtrump This is about charity. Im ready to make you a better offer.But to hear it you have to commit $ 1mm to #Sandy relief first
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 5, 2012
.@mcuban, Shark Tank was shoved to Friday evening– Friday is considered “dead television.” Besides, you are not the star (& never will be).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2012
Come on@realdonaldtrump ,you need to do better with the insults.This reminds me of when I used to pick on you when we were kids in Kenya
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 5, 2012
@realdonaldtrump You are absolutely right. No one cares about Mark Cuban and Im completely fine with that. Now back to your $1mm for Sandy ?
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 5, 2012
Most tweeps sided with Cuban (who, after all, is one of them) but the Washington Post‘s Karen Tumulty may have voiced the real majority opinion:
@ktumulty @realdonaldtrump @mcuban Fight to the death?
— David Lauter (@DavidLauter) November 5, 2012
“Ah, billionaires!” wrote Kerry A. Dolan of Forbes. “Let’s hope this battle of words results in $2 million toward Sandy victims — $1 million from each of these guys.”
That exactly what Cuban’s hoping will happen. He talked about the exchange during Monday’s Mavs game, as Art Garcia of Fox Sports Southwest reported:
“…you know me, there’s nothing I like better than a sparring partner. And if I can spar, and verbally joust and potentially raise money for charity, all the better. Unfortunately, he’s not very good at it. He tries to dish it out and it makes me laugh when he tries.”
Cuban is upping his original $1 million, but adds a caveat for Trump.
“I changed the offer to sweeten it,” Cuban said. “But in order to see my offer, he’s gotta put $1 million up to charities and then I’ll tell him my new and improved offer.”
Cuban also conceded that the boring truth—as you might expect from two people who have done reality shows and have big egos—is that it’s nothing personal, adding that:
I like Donald. I don’t have any problem with him. I respect him. I respect what he’s accomplished. You know that one buddy you like to pick on? It’s Donald Trump. …He’s just like your buddy that you like to pick on. You still like him, but you still like to pick on him. So we’ll see what happens.
According to a tweet from Gordon Keith of Dallas sports talk radio The Ticket, both Trump and Cuban were scheduled to appear on the station today at 8:40am.
