An American billionaire has provoked a fierce online backlash from financially pressed citizens after publicly detailing his extravagant requirements for a future superyacht.
The Lavish Requirements Sparking Outrage
Grant Cardone, a businessman and equity fund manager overseeing assets worth $5.3billion, faced intense criticism following a conversation with influencer Enes Yilmazer. The 67-year-old revealed his plans to acquire a yacht at least 240 feet long and weighing a minimum of 2,500 tons. He explained that a previous charter on a 180-foot vessel felt too small for his needs.
Cardone's specific demands for the mega-boat included an air-conditioned indoor gym to prevent his exercise equipment from overheating. He bluntly stated the staggering operating costs: between $15 million and $20 million per year, equating to roughly $1.5 million monthly to maintain the vessel.
Public Backlash and Accusations of Hypocrisy
The revelation did not sit well with many online observers, who swiftly condemned the display of extreme wealth. Commenters branded Cardone a 'scam artist', 'hypocrite', and 'arrogant'.
Financial YouTuber Graham Stephan reacted with disbelief, breaking down the numbers: "A million and a half dollars a month. That's $50,000 a day. A DAY! Just to maintain a boat. That's $34 a minute just to own a boat."
The criticism was compounded by Cardone's own financial advice, which often urges Americans to avoid buying homes and instead invest in rental properties. This perceived contradiction was highlighted in the comments. One user pointedly asked, "He supposedly doesn't own a home, but he wants to own a boat? Why not rent a boat whenever you want it?" Another added, "This guy rants about never buying anything, yet wants to sink 20M a year into a yacht. I don't buy it."
Many contrasted his lavish plans with their own economic struggles. One comment read, "Here I am stressing about how I'm going to pay for my $250 utilities bill," while another simply stated, "His arrogance is gross."
Cardone's Business and Response to Critics
Cardone, who is a prominent online influencer, markets a range of seminars and courses on his website, with prices spanning from free to $300,000. One offering, Cardone University, costs $5,000 for a 12-month access pass to business training.
Despite the recent uproar, Cardone has a history of defiantly responding to critics. In a past video titled 'The OBNOXIOUS Car Video', he addressed his detractors directly: "This is a completely obnoxious... for all the haters and the naysayers... I thought I'd give you something to hate on today because content is king, right?"
The businessman, author of the bestselling book The 10x Rule, frequently encourages followers to "make success their duty" and to "think big enough," arguing there is "no shortage of money on this planet."
The Daily Mail has approached Grant Cardone for comment on the controversy.
