US Economy: Mark Cuban Says White House Coronavirus Safeguards Should Be National Standard

Billionaire Mark Cuban said Monday that safeguards at the White House protecting staff against the coronavirus should become the “national standard,” as the U.S. reopens its economy.

“We have to get to that point where the White House standard becomes the national standard, I think, in order for consumers to feel safe going out, in order for employers to feel completely safe bringing people back to work,” Cuban told CNBC’s “Squawk Box." “I think we can get there, I just don’t know when.”

Multiple employees at the White House, including one of President Trump’s personal valets and Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, have tested positive for the coronavirus, with executive office staff boosting prevention measures. First daughter Ivanka Trump’s personal assistant and 11 Secret Service employees have also tested positive for the virus.

Staff members close to Trump and Pence are reportedly tested every day, with temperature checks and deep cleaning of workspaces a common event at the White House.

“Whatever the White House is doing for the president and vice president, that’s the protocol I want to use for my employees. And if I can’t adhere to that, then why would I put them at risk?” Cuban added.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Cuban has often provided unique takes on how the government should handle the economic crisis. In late April, he said Washington should provide a federal jobs guarantee that can help millions of unemployed Americans become healthcare workers.

"We need to create millions and millions of jobs that pay well and to take people off unemployment insurance," Cuban told CNN’s Poppy Harlow.

He said the economy should be rebuilt from the “bottom up” rather than the “top down.”

In March, Cuban said companies bailed out by the government should never be able to buy back stock. “No buybacks. Not now. Not a year from now. Not 20 years from now. Not ever,” he told CNBC at the time.

Cuban, 61, has previously described himself as a “libertarian at heart,” and has weighed a run for the White House this year. Cuban has a net worth of $4.3 billion, according to Forbes.

Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and is one of the “shark” investors on the "Shark Tank" reality television series.