A Republican strategist pushed back on a "Shark Tank" star investor Thursday night on CNN over a report that tech billionaire Elon Musk has had regular talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Wall Street Journal published a report Thursday night that Musk has discussed personal topics, business and geopolitical issues, with Putin. At one point, Putin reportedly asked Musk to avoid activating his Starlink satellites and providing internet service over Taiwan.
The report also revealed that in 2022, the world's richest man was under public and private pressure from the Kremlin.
Panelists on "NewsNight" almost ubiquitously agreed that it's not in the United States' best interest for Musk, who has over $1 billion in federal contracts through his businesses, including SpaceX and Starlink, to be cozying up to one of its adversaries.
Host Abby Phillip said the report raises "big questions" — such as, "What are we doing here?"
"If you have too much credit card debt you can't get a security clearance," noted Phillip.
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Kevin O'Leary, known best as a star on "Shark Tank" called it a "nothing burger issue" and found a surprising opponent on the panel — Republican strategist and Donald Trump supporter Shermichael Singleton.
"Well I don't know about that," Singleton said, shaking his head. "I have a lot of issues with someone that we're relying on for very sensitive information and technological advancements working with Vladimir Putin. Potentially working at the behest of Xi Jinping. These are two of our greatest adversaries."
He added: "I got a big issue with that."
If the reporting is true, Singleton said, the federal government may need to reconsider its business with Musk.
"This crap is not ok for a whole host of reasons," he said. "These countries are our adversaries. Their objective is to defeat the United States however possible! So this does make me very, very nervous."
When O'Leary said he "read the news a different way," Singleton was skeptical: "I don't know about that, Kevin."
As O'Leary said he interpreted one section of the reporting — that Russia asked Musk to avoid putting Starlink internet over Taiwan as a favor to China — as Xi Jinping trying to prevent the area from receiving freedom of speech.
"They have no right to forbid that!" Singleton interjected. "This is an American company Kevin what are you talking about?"
O'Leary defended Musk and said he "gave him the finger, said, 'I'm going to do whatever I want.'"
Phillip fact-checked O'Leary and noted the reporting doesn't mention how Musk responded.
"We're speculating. I'm speculating," clarified O'Leary.
Later in the segment, the two debated again. When O'Leary tried to insist many world leaders try to cozy up to Musk, including the French president, Singleton pushed back again.
"If Vladimir Putin is calling me, I'm not answering his calls! I'm not answering a phone call with Xi Jinping. I'm an American! My interest is about America first! Not Russia's interests, not China's interests," he said.
O'Leary refused to back down, noting Musk makes Tesla vehicles in China.
"But he also has federal confidential, top secret, above top-secret contracts," Singleton shot back. "I mean come on Kevin."
Watch the clip below or at the link here.