On-Air Clash Erupts Between Angela Rye and Kevin O’Leary

NEW YORK, March 20, 2025 — A heated exchange on the Native Land Pod took an uncomfortable turn today when host Angela Rye confronted Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary over his physical gestures during a discussion about political ethics and campaign contributions.

The incident occurred during a segment focused on billionaire Elon Musk‘s $6,600 donations to seven Republican lawmakers. Rye argued that the contributions should be seen as a ‘quid pro quo,’ implying that Musk was attempting to buy political influence. O’Leary, attempting to present his counterarguments, began gesturing animatedly, leading to a tense confrontation.

“He literally tweeted to members of Congress… you don’t have to touch me!” Rye snapped at O’Leary, clearly taken aback.

In response, O’Leary insisted, “I did that nicely,” but Rye retorted, “I don’t want you to touch me,” demonstrating her refusal to overlook the physicality of the exchange. O’Leary conceded, “I won’t ever do it again,” leaving an awkward tension in the studio.

Despite the discomfort, Rye maintained her stance, emphasizing the transactional nature of Musk’s donations. “But he literally says, he literally, he says thank you to the members who introduced articles of impeachment. That is an exchange of value. That is a violation,” she stressed.

O’Leary then attempted to shift the conversation toward a broader discussion about political fundraising, quipping, “Let’s talk about the two narratives going on simultaneously. The oldest profession on Earth is not prostitution; it’s politicians raising money. That has happened from the beginning of time. That’s going on forever and will continue forever.”

He dismissed concerns about ethical implications, stating, “This issue around judges, this is pure politics. Get over it. This is what we live in today, every day.” He further added, “No laws have been broken. You don’t like it? Too bad.”

Rye, known for her outspoken views, had previously made headlines in 2017 when she refused to refer to Donald Trump as “her president.” The stark contrast between her firm stance and O’Leary’s casual dismissal of political conduct set the stage for a memorable exchange that many viewers are likely to discuss in the days to come.

The confrontation highlights ongoing debates about fundraising practices and ethical boundaries in political contributions, a topic that remains relevant as the political landscape continues to evolve.