Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary Shut Down for Touching Female Panelist on CNN

During a tense CNN panel discussion, political commentator Angela Rye skillfully pushed back when investor Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank invaded her personal space. The moment spoke volumes about the ongoing struggles women face in asserting their boundaries.

On Wednesday night’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, the panelists were discussing a New York Times report about Elon Musk’s political donations when O’Leary reached out and touched Rye’s arm while trying to interject.

Rye immediately responded, “You don’t have to touch me,” and continued with her criticism of Musk.

“I did that nicely,” O’Leary responded, seemingly unaware of his inappropriate behavior.

Rye, unshaken, stopped again to make herself clear: “I don’t want you to touch me; that’s my personal space.”

“I won’t ever do it again,” O’Leary replied.

The exchange quickly became a point of discussion on social media. Many praised Rye’s firm response, calling O’Leary’s action patronizing. One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) noted that O’Leary would never have done the same to a man, calling it a microaggression.

Kari J. Winter, an American Studies professor, weighed in, saying that the moment was part of a larger pattern of women being touched without consent, especially in professional settings. “When women claim their space, men kind of blame them,” Winter said. “They’re seen as ‘not being nice.’”

O’Leary’s remark, “I touched you nicely,” missed the point. Winter called it a sad reflection of the ongoing microaggressions women face, particularly women of color. “Women are often not permitted to have their personal space or bodily integrity,” she added.

Etiquette expert Jodi Smith agreed, calling O’Leary’s actions an attempt to “silence” Rye. “He needed to wait his turn,” she said, emphasizing that touching a woman in a professional setting is often a power play designed to assert dominance.

This incident serves as a reminder of the many challenges women face in the workplace, from gender pay gaps to harassment. Smith argued that the touch was a way of “putting a woman in her place.”

Winter and Smith both praised Rye for her professionalism and clarity. Winter noted that Rye’s calm but firm stance resonated with many people online, especially in an era where many are seeking examples of standing up for oneself.

Susan Hinze, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, highlighted that gender inequality in the workplace often starts with smaller acts like unwanted touching. “Rye set a clear boundary, which was exactly right,” Hinze said.

For women in similar situations, Smith offered advice: “Call out the inappropriate behavior while continuing to make your point.” And if someone touches you without consent, she recommends saying, “Please do not touch me. Once I finish making my point, it will be your turn to have the floor.”

In the end, the message is clear: “Keep your hands to yourself.” Winter added that while cultural differences may affect physical touch, there should be clear guidelines for professional settings. Everyone deserves to have their personal space respected.

Watch the controversial moment below from CNN: