Logo

President Trump and Mark Cuban’s “love-hate” relationship was on full display at the White House on Monday when the billionaire businessman joined the president in promoting cheaper prescription drugs available at Trump Rx.

Trump was asked about working with Cuban to lower prescription drug costs despite his endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. 

“Well, he made a mistake,” Trump quipped. “It was a big mistake.”


  President Trump speaks about prescription drug prices as Mark Cuban listens May 18, 2026. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson President Trump speaks about prescription drug prices as Mark Cuban listens May 18, 2026. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Cuban laughed off the remark. 

“He was playing,” he told reporters later of the president’s remark. “I’m not going to go there; it doesn’t matter.”

The two men have been friends for over 20 years and Cuban, despite campaigning for Trump’s rival, said after the election it was important to work with the president, describing their relationship as one of “love-hate.”

The two men’s friendly banter and bromance was on display Monday when they were on stage together. 

You’re “looking good,” Trump told him, adding the two have “one thing” in common.


  Trump joked that Cuban made a mistake when he endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2024. Getty Images Trump joked that Cuban made a mistake when he endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2024. Getty Images

“We have the same thing — one thing — in common. We want to make people better and keep them wealthy.”

The former owner of the Dallas Mavericks was clear that he was at the White House to talk about health care and not politics.

“My politics don’t matter to this at all,” he told reporters after the event. He brushed off his previous criticism of Trump as “last season.”

Cuban is the founder of online pharmacy Cost Plus Drugs and was at the White House for Trump’s announcement that 600 generic drugs are being added to the prescription website Trump Rx.


  Cuban said his personal politics didn’t factor into his decision to work with the Trump administration on lowering prescription drug prices. Getty Images Cuban said his personal politics didn’t factor into his decision to work with the Trump administration on lowering prescription drug prices. Getty Images

Amazon Pharmacy and GoodRx will join Cost Plus Drugs in selling their wares on the president’s website.

“By incorporating this massive catalog of low-cost generics at TrumpRx.gov, consumers will now have one source to ensure that they’re getting the lowest possible cost on their prescription, so they have a real option now,” Trump said.

Cuban argued health care was a nonpartisan issue and that everyone — Republican, Democrat and independent — wanted costs to go down.


  Cuban said lowering the cost of health care is a nonpartisan issue. REUTERS Cuban said lowering the cost of health care is a nonpartisan issue. REUTERS

“The goal is to reduce the cost of health care, and we’re 100% aligned,” he said of his work with Trump.

“My politics don’t matter to this at all,” he said, refusing to be drawn into political games. 

He was clear that health care was his new passion.

“I’ll align with anyone,” he said. “If you’re going to make health care cheaper, you’re my new best friend.”


  Cuban said he is not interested in making a presidential run of his own. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson Cuban said he is not interested in making a presidential run of his own. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

He founded his pharmaceutical website in 2022. It skirts insurance to sell drugs at cost with a 15% markup and fee for pharmacy labor and shipping. The company also posts how much it paid manufacturers for the medicines it sells in an effort to boost transparency.

Cuban said his goal was to help make health care — one of the most expensive industries — cheaper for all Americans. Health care costs in the United States generally grow faster than inflation, and it’s one of the most expensive cost-of-living items for people.

Cuban, who at one point had mulled his own presidential ambitions, ruled out running as he stood outside the West Wing with the White House visible behind him.

“Hell no,” he said, dripping in sweat on the 92-degree day. “Too hot.”

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy