Anchors on multiple Fox News and Fox Business shows issued rare on-air apologies for unsupported claims made by "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary, who falsely alleged that critics of his proposed data center project in Utah were funded by the Chinese Communist Party.
O'Leary's False Statements
In May, O'Leary appeared on several Fox programs and vented that opponents of his 9-gigawatt facility were backed by Chinese interests. The comments were made on shows including "The Big Weekend Show" on May 24.
On-Air Apologies
At the end of Saturday's broadcast of "The Big Weekend Show," host Johnny "Joey" Jones clarified and apologized: "He made certain claims relating to the opponents of his project. Mr. O'Leary has now corrected the record and explained he has 'no evidence' that the Alliance for a Better Utah, Josh Kantor or Taylor Knuth are funded by China or the Chinese Communist Party. Fox News Media is likewise aware of no evidence that they are funded by, or acting in the direction of, or in coordination with Chinese interests in opposing Mr. O'Leary's project. Fox News Media also apologizes for the error."
Former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a similar apology on "Saturday in America." The apology also ran on Fox Business during Maria Bartiromo's "Mornings With Maria" on Friday and on "The Big Money Show."
O'Leary's Clarification
O'Leary posted his own clarification on X on Thursday, writing: "Recently I appeared on various news programs and would like to clarify that I have no evidence that Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, Taylor Knuth or Josh Kanter are funded by China or the Chinese Communist Party."
