During a segment on Fox Business’ “The Big Money Show,” viewers were warned about the dangers of credit card debt during the holiday season.
But just minutes later, the same segment took a sharp turn, from personal finance advice to showing off a watch that could sell for $5 million.
The moment, flagged by journalist Aaron Rupar on X, drew criticism for its tone-deaf transition.
“Absolutely incredible stuff on Fox Business as hosts transition from lecturing Americans about personal debt to showing off Kevin O’Leary’s $5 million watch in the same segment!” he posted, alongside a clip of the show.
Holiday Debt Warning
O’Leary, known for his role on “Shark Tank,” started the segment by urging Americans not to overspend.
“It is the season, don’t dig yourself into a financial grave just to score those door busters,” he said.
He went on to highlight rising credit card balances, referencing a New York Federal Reserve report showing record-high consumer debt.
“You really want a plan to pay that off or you’re paying 20% interest on it, and that is stupid,” O’Leary warned. “This is the balance.”
He also criticized the growing trend of young couples sharing credit cards. “That’s crazy,” he said. “That gives the financial identity [to someone else]. The only way to advance your credit card score is to pay off a credit card. That is it.”
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Enter the $5 Million Watch
But within minutes, the conversation moved from financial discipline to luxury watches.
O’Leary showed off a rare FP Journe watch, describing it as “number 6 of 10, a really unique piece I got a few years ago that’s priceless.”
He explained its backstory, noting that famed director Francis Ford Coppola had helped inspire the design.
“Francis Ford said, ‘No one has ever done that,'” O’Leary said, recounting a dinner between Coppola and the watchmaker. “He left that dinner… [and] created this watch.”
Host Jackie DeAngelis chimed in, joking, “You don’t have a cheap watch.” O’Leary replied, “It will be between $3 to $5 million in five minutes. I know men and women bidding on this are insane.”
Viewers Call Out the Mixed Messaging
The whiplash moment from warnings about 20% interest rates to showcasing one of the most expensive watches in the world was not lost on viewers.
Rupar’s post received tens of thousands of views and sparked a conversation about media tone and wealth messaging.
Critics pointed out that the segment delivered personal finance advice to working- and middle-class Americans, only to pivot almost instantly to a celebration of ultra-wealthy consumption.
The contrast raised questions about relatability and the priorities of business news coverage.
While O’Leary often discusses investing and wealth building, the segment’s shift in tone felt off-putting to many.
A Tone That Missed the Mark
In the end, it was a moment that left a lot of people shaking their heads. One minute, the show was warning Americans to be careful with their spending, and the next, they were admiring a watch worth millions.
For many viewers, it just didn’t sit right and came off as confusing at best.