“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary challenged a fellow panelist’s economic claims under President Donald Trump during Wednesday’s episode of CNN NewsNight, arguing that “the numbers” painted a different picture.
O’Leary pointed to recent data showing a 12.3-point rise in consumer confidence in May—the first increase in five months—according to The Conference Board, as well as the addition of 177,000 jobs in April. His remarks came in response to podcaster Kmele Foster, who claimed that Trump’s tariffs were leading to job losses.
“People are losing their jobs,” Foster said, with O’Leary responding, “What are you talking about? There’s no job loss in America.” Following a heated exchange in which both men spoke over one another, Shermichael Singleton interjected.
“Do you not look at the unemployment numbers?” Singleton asked Foster, with O’Leary adding, “You can say that, but you better read the numbers.”
“I’m asking a question. It’s not saying anything,” Foster said, with O’Leary responding, “We’re almost at full employment. We’re almost at full — what are you talking about?!” The unemployment rate was 4.2% in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Former reality star Jennifer Welch then responded.
“[Trump’s] doing brand damage to the American economy. Nobody is taking us seriously.” O’Leary then cut in: “The economy is on fire! What are you talking about?” Following the exchange with Welch, Foster conceded that the economy was “doing OK,” but Welch stood by her assertion that Trump was harming America’s “brand.”
“He’s doing brand damage — brand damage to the American brand. We are a laughingstock,” Welch claimed. “We’re a laughingstock in Europe, a laughingstock in Asia. If you’re inside the Trump bubble and you’re on Twitter with all the bros, it hits hard. It’s really good.”
But O’Leary countered her claim with facts. “That’s not what the numbers say. The number one destination for invested capital on earth is still over 50% in America tonight,” he fired back. “Tonight. Right now. So I don’t know what you‘re talking about a laughing stock. The money pours in, trillions of dollars comes to America. Why? Best place to invest on earth. Why? The economy is on fire.”
