Billionaire Mark Cuban said President Donald Trump "had a good year" after reports he paid $36.5 million in taxes on income of $153 million in 2005, but the data "really doesn't tell you anything else."
"Anybody who makes $150 million, you applaud them and you say congratulations — and you know how well they did that year," the "Shark Tank" co-host told Jake Tapper on CNN.
He likened the figures, disclosed by the White House shortly before MSNBC's Rachel Maddow reported having a copy of two pages from Trump's return that year, to "comparing . . . apples to oranges.
"There is really not a purpose in doing that," Cuban said.
He continued his attacks on the president, however, charging Trump has "no leadership skills, no management skills, not very good communication skills.
"But he's obviously had an impact on the economy, so he gets credit for that," Cuban told Tapper. "There's a lot of positives that are positives for business.
"You still have to look at the bigger picture."
Regarding communications skills, for instance, Cuban said Trump has yet to "communicate an understanding of the issues."
He accused Trump's staff and surrogates of "cocooning" the president from fully discussing various issues.
"They're cocooning him so he doesn't have to address and actually answer any questions," he said.
Otherwise, Cuban declined to rule out a presidential run in 2020.
"I don't want to say no, but it's not my dream to be president of the United States," he told Tapper, insisting he wanted to continue helping entrepreneurs.
"I love helping create jobs. I like helping to spur industry — and I'm good at that. If I can continue to do that, I'm happy.
"But if I think there is a need . . ."
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