The fact that most of the world's wealth is concentrated among the rich is a source of concern for those who call for greater wealth distribution. However, Kevin O'Leary has a more optimistic view, calling it "fantastic news."
The video posted by TikToker @alex.boychuck and captioned " can't believe he said this on live television," has gone viral due to Kevin O'Leary's unusual views on poverty.
The interviewer cites Oxfam's statistic that the world's 85 richest individuals own the same wealth as the three and a half billion poorest, leading to O'Leary's response that left both the interviewer and viewers taken aback.
"It's fantastic," he says, "And this is a great thing because it inspires everybody. Gets the motivation to look up to the %1 and say 'I want to become one of those people,' I'm going to fight hard to get up to the top."
"This is fantastic news and of course, I applaud it."
Kevin O'Leary receives a surprised look from the interviewer, causing him to ask, "What's wrong with that?"
With a puzzled expression, she asks, "Really?" He replies confidently, "Yes, really."
Trying to understand his point, the interviewer asks, "So, are you saying that someone living on a dollar a day in Africa wakes up every morning and thinks, 'I'm going to be Bill Gates'?"
To which Kevin O'Leary replied, "That's the kind of motivation everyone needs."
The interviewer then attempted to sarcastically suggest that Kevin O'Leary's way of thinking is unrealistic for poor people around the world.
"So, you're saying the only thing standing between me and that guy is motivation? I just need to pull up my socks. Oh wait, I don't even have socks..."
One user commented that "Kevin is out of touch with reality," but another one had a different perspective, stating, "I don't think it's out of touch, I think it's him actively pushing this narrative to keep poor people working for him and making him money."
Others found the interview to be amusing and appreciated the interviewer's reaction, as she "spoke up" and "called him out" for his statement.
"The way she looked at him," one remarked.
"The socks line was so good," a second wrote.
"I'm so glad she called him out. 'Really...Really?!'" a third shared.
"Loved the look on her face," a fifth commented.
"The woman was too stunned to speak," a sixth joked.