"At risk in terms of flipping": When Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary chimed in on the President’s administration selections

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary addressed the President's latest appointments and the urgency behind these decisions. In a November 21, 2024 interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, O’Leary was asked for his reaction to the President’s appointments and the overall selection process.

O'Leary explained that the administration was moving quickly to implement policies before potential changes in congressional control. He stated,

"Trump knows he's got two years with majority mandate then the house will probably be at risk in terms of flipping so he wants to get the majority of the work done on these new policies and the promises he made to the American people."

O'Leary emphasized that the appointments were happening at a rapid pace, with the administration prioritizing key policy initiatives. He noted that this approach aimed to secure legislative action before a possible shift in the political landscape.

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Shark Tank Kevin O'Leary discussed the administration’s rapid appointments and policy priorities

The pace of appointments

During the interview, O'Leary underscored the speed at which the administration was making appointments, highlighting that within a short period, numerous positions had been filled. Bartiromo pointed out,

"We've got something like 30 appointments in two and a half weeks, Kevin, so yes, he's moving at lightning speed and he's surrounding with people he expects will not undermine his agenda and will in fact support his agenda and get it through. Is there any of these picks that strike you more than others?"

In response, the Shark Tank investor acknowledged the pace of decision-making, stating,

"I love the pace."

He explained that this urgency was driven by the administration’s intention to fulfill campaign commitments early in the term. He reiterated that the administration was prioritizing its policy goals within the two-year window before a potential change in the congressional majority.

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Notable picks and their policy focus

Discussing specific appointments, O'Leary highlighted certain individuals for their expected contributions to policy initiatives during his interview. The Shark Tank investor stated,

"I'd like to see Hagerty in Treasury. I'm a fan of his because he supports small business. He's not just focused myopically on the S&P 500."

He described this approach as a potential advantage for small businesses. O'Leary also addressed the selection of Howard for Commerce, noting,

"I think Howard was a great pick for Commerce and remember he's a legendary guy. You remember 9/11, what he did. People have not forgotten on Wall Street what a guy he is so anybody will return his call."

The Shark Tank investor pointed out Howard’s recognition within the financial sector and his past leadership. Additionally, O'Leary commented on the appointment in the education sector, stating,

"The thing about education—I came up in that industry. We need to find a way to fire mediocre teachers because they're all unionized and pay more to the good ones. That’s why education's broken in America."

He referenced ongoing discussions regarding education reform, particularly concerning the performance-based evaluation of educators.

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Plans for the education department

The discussion also covered broader policy changes, particularly regarding education. Bartiromo referenced a previous statement from the President, saying,

"Well, that’s why he wants to send the education department back to the states—going to completely dismantle that education department. He told me that on Sunday and he says Linda McMahon is going to be in charge of sending that back to the states."

O'Leary acknowledged this perspective and reiterated the challenges within the education sector. The Shark Tank investor pointed to standardized testing outcomes, stating,

"It’s really a mess—reading and math scores. We've got to find a way to fix that."

He indicated in the interview that these policy adjustments are intended to address longstanding concerns regarding educational performance and administrative structure.

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New episodes of Shark Tank air on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET, featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of investors, including Kevin O’Leary. Fans can also stream full episodes of Shark Tank anytime on Hulu.