Kevin O'Leary's holiday post trolled, fans call 'Shark Tank' investor 'CROOK' for defending FTX
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On Friday, Kevin O'Leary, a 'Shark Tank' celeb investor, took to Twitter to share a photo of his 103-year-old family Christmas boot ornament with his followers. In the comments section of what appeared to be an innocent post about the holidays and 'family,' he was chastised for defending his support for the defunct crypto exchange FTX and its former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF).
In an interview with CNBC Friday, 'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary defended his role as a spokesperson for the defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX. He also addressed Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao's (CZ) characterization of him as a liar. When questioned why he did not stridently denounce former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), Kevin said, "This is America. The justice system provides the presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise."
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On December 12, the former FTX executive was apprehended in the Bahamas. The US government and numerous agencies have charged him and his crypto exchange with fraud. Kevin was the exchange's spokesman and an investor when it went bankrupt. The firm paid him roughly $15 million to become its spokesperson, which he said was lost when the exchange declared bankruptcy.
Following Kevin's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, in which he stated that he believes FTX failed because competitor crypto exchange Binance purposefully forced it out of business, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) labeled the 'Shark Tank' star a liar. Before FTX went bankrupt, Kevin almost got $8 billion to keep the crypto exchange from going bankrupt. He stated that Bankman-Fried is one of the top traders in the crypto sector and that if the FTX co-founder has another startup, he will back him again.
In the middle of such tension, Kevin's cheerful Christmas tweet quickly devolved into a flood of name-calling and shaming. His original tweet read, "This #Christmas boot ornament has been in our family for 103 years. When I put it on the tree last night it reminded me of the power of tradition and why it’s important to take time out each year to give thanks for what really matters. Family!"
This #Christmas boot ornament has been in our family for 103 years. When I put it on the tree last night it reminded me of the power of tradition and why it’s important to take time out each year to give thanks for what really matters. Family! pic.twitter.com/nULcnrQeJe
— Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) December 23, 2022
Accusing Kevin of paying off his lawyer, a follower commented under the post, "Yes @kevinolearytv- focus on your life and stuffing the smelly sock with the dirty money you collect to pay off the lawyer Greenspan for getting you off your drunken midnight boating rips. What about the lives lost and the families you devestated on that dark summer night?" Another person mockingly wrote, "Are you going to pass down losing $15 million in a crypto company too?" Empathizing with the affected families, one follower wrote, "Some won’t have Christmas because they listened to your Mr. Burns looking face. Used to be a fan, never invested in FTX but your talks recently give off greasy vibes." Talking of how he got out of the trouble, another Twitter user commented, ".... and your ability to escape liability from fraudulent financial schemes! Merry merry!"
Yes @kevinolearytv - focus on your life and stuffing the smelly sock with the dirty money you collect to pay off the lawyer Greenspan for getting you off your drunken midnight boating rips. What about the lives lost and the families you devestated on that dark summer night?
— William Pimenta (@CavuInvestments) December 23, 2022
Are you going to pass down losing $15 million in a crypto company too?
— Michael Graham (@MGStockTalk) December 23, 2022
Some won’t have Christmas because they listened to your Mr. Burns looking face. Used to be a fan, never invested in FTX but your talks recently give off greasy vibes.
— TrashPanda (@bigsupersonik) December 23, 2022
.... and your ability to escape liability from fraudulent financial schemes! Merry merry!
— Kyspiracy (@Kyspiracy) December 23, 2022
Mocking him on his post, one person wrote, "Is that a hint? 103 years is what your jail sentence would of been?" Bashing him further, another person tweeted, "Wow, I'm surprised such a cold-hearted person got a real tree." While calling him a crook, another person wrote, "Kevin isn't only a liar, he also knew exactly what SBF and those twits at ftx/Alameda were doing and still invested/endorsed them for some quick cheap gains. CROOK!" Another tweet under the post read, "A stocking full of stolen FTX funds."
Is that a hint? 103 years is what your jail sentence would of been?
— zero knawledge (@Zeroknawledge) December 23, 2022
Kevin isn't only a liar, he also knew exactly what SBF and those twits at ftx/Alameda were doing and still invested/endorsed them for some quick cheap gains. CROOK!
— Tiny (@criptogranny) December 24, 2022
FTX entered bankruptcy in November, owing more than $10 billion to creditors. SBF was arrested by Bahamian authorities on allegations of wire fraud, conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and money laundering.
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