Shark Tank CEO clashes with CNN analyst when school lunch programs are on the table

A DOGE “whack” to school lunch programs found Mr. Wonderful clashing with CNN analyst Bakari Sellers over “Fat dripping with waste government.”

(Video: CNN)

Tuesday, as efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse continued across the federal government, the U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed $1 billion in spending by eliminating funding that allowed food banks and schools to make direct purchases from local farms and others. Entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary of “Shark Tank” fame quickly found himself at odds on “CNN NewsNight” as he not only supported the move but called for the USDA to “cut 20% more.”

“This issue is not going to go away because it’s very contentious, but when you cut in any organization — government or private — it’s very demoralizing, it’s traumatic and it gets lots of bad press as we’re going right now. But that’s why you cut 20% more,” he said as the Local Food for Schools program and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement amounted to $660 million and $420 million respectively via executive order from then-President Joe Biden.

Bringing up Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, O’Leary continued, “I think Elon is not cutting enough. Cut 20% more, now. Get your spreadsheet out, these are the names, whack everybody and then 20% more as we do in the private sector every day and have done for 100 years in private equity and higher back when the organization gels.”

“That way, the demoralization only happens once. You don’t want to cut multiple times…More whacking, more whacking, more whacking, more whacking,” he insisted as Sellers chimed in. “Let me just say, can I explain to you that this is when-”

“You don’t need to explain it to me,” cut in the entrepreneur. “I know how it works.”

Sellers persisted, “But no, you don’t because when-” only to have O’Leary add, “I do, I’ve done it multiple times.”

“But yeah, that’s in the private sector and you cannot run everyday government the same way you run-” the analyst asserted as the back and forth was interjected with, “This is worse than the private sector. Fat dripping with waste government.”

“I’m not talking about fat dripping with waste government. What have I told you in the south, right now, in red states…Do you know the number one cause for children underperforming in schools right now?” asked Sellers who insisted, “They’re hungry!”

At the same time, O’Leary had responded, “Bad educators,” and reminded, “My whole career was in education.”

To further defend his position, the analyst tried, “But that’s my point of bringing that up to you. And so yes, you had things like the free and reduced lunch program. You have the summer lunch program. You have programs that were expanded so kids could actually — so I’m not arguing with you about your expertise in the private sector, but what I am saying is that a 20% cut or whack…you’re cutting from places that really matter.”

Meanwhile, in a statement offered to CBS MoneyWatch, a USDA spokesperson had explained of the cuts, “Unlike the Biden Administration, which funneled billions in [Commodity Credit Corporation] funds into short-term programs with no plan of longevity, USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact.”

When host Abby Phillip went on to question why the cuts were made to impact local businesses first, O’Leary asserted that DOGE would left no stone unturned in the organization’s efforts to reach $2 trillion in spending cuts.

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.