Update: Fox News channels apologize to Utah critics of Kevin O’Leary’s data center after his ‘Chinese Communist’ claims
Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window
This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. To learn more, view the following link: Privacy Policy
Manage Preferences
Storage Preferences
!Image 3: Close ad
!Image 5: queryly-instant-search
LOG IN
Update: Fox News channels apologize to Utah critics of Kevin O’Leary’s data center after his ‘Chinese Communist’ claims
Fox News and Fox Business anchors issued rare on-air apologies, repeating that they had “no evidence” to back the “Shark Tank” star’s accusations.
(The Salt Lake Tribune) Entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary speaks while being interviewed by The Salt Lake Tribune on Monday, June 1, 2026.
By [Sean P. Means](https://www.sltrib.com/staff/spmeans)
| June 25, 2026, 8:25 p.m.
| Updated: June 29, 2026, 8:01 p.m.
Add as Preferred Source
Comment
**Update •**_Includes apologies issued on air on Fox News channels._
Celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary is walking back comments he made about people and organizations in Utah that have mounted opposition to his Box Elder County data center proposal.
Anchors on two Fox News channels followed by issuing rare, and similarly worded, apologies on air.
“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,” O’Leary [posted on his Facebook account](https://www.facebook.com/kevinolearytv/posts/pfbid02MLH1BzmUjyh4tqDgLz6p62Zue9Pbj2taHEycvGBqeNzAKE37FM5nbBAL3PtsyoD2l "https://www.facebook.com/kevinolearytv/posts/pfbid02MLH1BzmUjyh4tqDgLz6p62Zue9Pbj2taHEycvGBqeNzAKE37FM5nbBAL3PtsyoD2l") Thursday afternoon.
A Salt Lake Tribune request to O’Leary’s spokesperson for further clarification was not immediately returned Thursday. Spokespeople for Elevate Strategies and Alliance for a Better Utah did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
On Friday, [according to a video](https://www.mediamatters.org/artificial-intelligence-and-data-centers/fox-business-anchor-maria-bartiromo-apologizes-guest-kevin "https://www.mediamatters.org/artificial-intelligence-and-data-centers/fox-business-anchor-maria-bartiromo-apologizes-guest-kevin") posted by the watchdog group Media Matters for America, Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo read an apology on air, repeating O’Leary’s admission that he had no evidence to support his accusations when she interviewed him on May 11.
#### Get Top Stories newsletter. The day’s biggest stories every morning, delivered right to your inbox.
SIGN UP NOW
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
“Fox News Media is likewise aware of no evidence that they are funded by or acting at the direction of or in coordination with Chinese interests,” Bartiromo said, and concluded by noting that “Fox News Media apologizes for the error.”
On Saturday, on Fox News’s “Big Weekend Show,” host Johnny Joey Jones read the same on-air apology, [which was transcribed by Mediaite](https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fox-news-delivers-on-air-apology-over-kevin-olearys-unsubstantiated-claims-linking-opponents-of-his-data-center-project-to-china/ "https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fox-news-delivers-on-air-apology-over-kevin-olearys-unsubstantiated-claims-linking-opponents-of-his-data-center-project-to-china/"). Jones gave the date of O’Leary’s appearance on that network as May 24.
O’Leary drew national attention to Elevate Strategies, a Utah political consulting firm, and the progressive nonprofit Alliance for a Better Utah, in appearances on Fox Business and other news channels. The “Shark Tank” star cited Finlayson at Elevate Strategies, and Knuth and Kanter at the alliance, by name, and called them “proxies for the Chinese government.”
“If they’re not, I want them to be able to defend their names,” O’Leary said on Fox Business. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
O’Leary’s comments created a “Streisand effect” for Elevate, leading Finlayson and her business partner, Jackie Morgan, to appear on several progressive media outlets to talk about opposition to the data center project.
“The only foreign agent here is a horrible Canadian multi-millionaire trying to ruin the environment in our country,” Finlayson said on The Tennessee Holler podcast on May 16.
**Support free news for Utah**
sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.
Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.
**You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.**
RELATED STORIES
Senate President J. Stuart Adams — burdened by data center fallout — ousted by voters
Box Elder data center campus claims two casualties: a pair of incumbent commissioners
How Utahns took on Mr. Wonderful and a data center on the Great Salt Lake
There’s a key reason data center developers are increasingly drawn to Utah — and it lies underground
- * *
MOST VIEWED
1 #### How big is Utah’s wildfire burn scar? The Tribune put together a map to show its growth.
2 #### ‘I was duped’: Utah senator apologizes for sharing Kevin O’Leary’s ‘Chinese Communists’ claim
3 #### Will Stuart Adams’ election loss stop the Box Elder data center? Here’s what Kevin O’Leary’s company says.
[4 #### ‘Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand’: Why southern Utah’s biggest city won’t ban fireworks despite governor’s order](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/07/01/despite-fire-dangers-st-george/)
5 #### As Utah fires worsen, U.S. Forest Service chief calls for more active forest management
- * *
Sponsored Story
[Drunken Kitchen restaurant is now open to all ages. Sponsored: This award-winning Taiwanese & Chinese restaurant with a bold American twist is now open to families.](https://www.sltrib.com/sponsored/2026/06/29/drunken-kitchen-restaurant-is-now)
FROM THE WEB
[](https://www.outbrain.com/what-is/default/en)
Sean P. MeansDeputy Enterprise Editor
Sean P. Means has been reporting and editing for The Salt Lake Tribune since 1991 — including 25 years as movie critic. Since 2018, he has reported on arts and culture reporter, and breaking news — and was part of The Tribune’s COVID-19 reporting team. He reviews movies for MovieCricket.net and X96’s “Radio From Hell” program.
[](mailto:spmeans@sltrib.com)[](https://www.facebook.com/SeanPMeansCricket)
##### CONNECT
- 
- YouTube
- RSS
- 
- 
##### MEMBERSHIP
- Donate
- Login to your Digital Account
##### ABOUT US
- Editorial Policies and Ethics
##### MORE
- Store
- Archives
- Join The First Amendment Society
ABOUT USTERMS OF SERVICEPRIVACY POLICYEDITORIAL POLICYNEWS TIPSADVERTISECONTACT US/HELPMEET THE EDITORIAL BOARDGIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY
DONATESUPPORTERS FAQPRINT FAQPRINT EDITIONEMAIL NEWSLETTERSJOIN THE FIRST AMENDMENT SOCIETYSUPPORT THE TRIBUNESHARE YOUR OPINIONCOOKIE PREFERENCES
[](https://www.instagram.com/sltrib/)[](https://www.facebook.com/saltlaketribune/)
Report a missed paper by emailingsupport@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900
For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsupport@sltrib.com
sltrib.com © 1996-2026 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved.
- Sign in
- Account
- Sign Out
- [x]
