"Look for the best of the best" — When Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary ran for Prime Minister 

In January 2017, prominent businessman and Shark Tank's OG investor Kevin O'Leary declared his campaign for the leadership of Canada's Conservative Party, hoping to challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the upcoming federal election. O'Leary, most known for his work on different television shows, underlined the importance of strong economic leadership, particularly in light of the United States electing billionaire Donald Trump as president.

Kevin O'Leary's political ambitions reflected his no-nonsense corporate demeanor, which prioritized results, efficiency, and economic progress. He positioned himself as an outsider capable of shaking up the political establishment, just as he had done in business. However, his campaign struggled to get traction because of his lack of political experience and inability to speak French, which is critical in Canadian elections.

Despite dominating in early surveys, O'Leary stepped down later that year, recognizing that gaining Quebec was critical to success. His brief excursion into politics represented his notion that great leadership comes from financial and business experts rather than career politicians.

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Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary pitch for his candidacy

In January 2017, prominent businessman and television personality Kevin O'Leary declared his campaign for the leadership of Canada's Conservative Party, hoping to challenge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the upcoming federal election. O'Leary, most known for his work on Shark Tank, underlined the importance of strong economic leadership, particularly in light of the United States electing billionaire Donald Trump as president.

Kevin O'Leary's political attitude stemmed from his strong opposition to government policies that he believed hampered economic progress. Two significant problems that spurred his campaign were Canada's soaring government debt, which is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2050, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's carbon pricing policy.

Shark Tank's O'Leary questioned the carbon tax program, claiming that it will drive businesses to relocate to the United States, making regions such as Ontario and Alberta less competitive. He positioned himself as a pro-business candidate, calling for policies that would encourage investment rather than discourage it.

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Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary's political future

Kevin O'Leary's brief but high-profile political campaign in 2017 demonstrated his opinion that Canada required an entrepreneur at the helm. His campaign focused on economic reform, decreasing government debt, and repealing measures like carbon taxes, which he said hampered corporate growth. However, his lack of political experience and inability to gain support in Quebec prompted him to resign from the Conservative leadership campaign two months after entering.

Since leaving politics, O'Leary has remained an ardent advocate for economic and business problems, frequently opposing government policies he believes are harmful to businesses. He has returned to his previous roles as an investor, television personality, and commentator, frequently using his platform to argue for pro-business policies.

While he has not re-entered politics, his ongoing criticisms of government actions and economic initiatives hint that his political ambitions may not be over. It's unclear whether O'Leary will seek office again, but his influence in shaping economic issues is far from over.

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You can watch Kevin O'Leary's videos on his official Instagram account.