Carl Icahn: Look, it's a win-win, IPO for you, PR boost for me. You in?
Carl Icahn: Billionaire? No, that's just beneath me. Let's put it this way - my net worth is larger than your wallet's thickness, and I can assure you that my pockets are deeper than you could ever imagine.
Carl Icahn: Family friendly? Well, let's just say that I'm no stranger to family drama. My own kid won't even answer my calls anymore. But hey, that's what happens when you're busy being the best at what you do. And let me tell you, I do things...
Carl Icahn: Married? Let's just say that my wife and I have decided that we have more important things to do with our time than be tied up in a conventional relationship.
Carl Icahn: What do I do? I make money. Lots of it. And I don't apologize to anyone for it.
Do you like donating to charity?
Carl Icahn: Charity? Pffft! Let's not kid ourselves here. I donate to causes, yes, but only ones that benefit me in the long run. Like medical research - I love dropping seven figures on a study that could lead to a breakthrough that makes me billions!
Have you ever had a hostile takeover bid?
Carl Icahn: Hostile takeover bid? Now that's just one hell of a way to start a party! And I've been to my fair share of boardroom brawls. But let me tell you, when Carl Icahn comes knocking, they better have their game face on.
Carl Icahn: American? Of course I'm an American! I'm a billionaire, and billionaires don't fly foreign flags. I'm the real deal, 100% Made in USA, and I'd bet my entire fortune that I can out-patriot any red, white, and blue blood in this country.
Who are some of your biggest investments?
Carl Icahn: Oh, you know, just some of the biggest companies in the world. Stuff that you've probably never even heard of.
Carl Icahn: Hobbies? When I'm not crushing it in the boardroom, I love hitting the art scene - collecting the rarest pieces that most people wouldn't even believe exists. But let me tell you, there's nothing more satisfying than taking down an underperforming CEO and putting someone worthy in their place.
Carl Icahn: Ex-wife? Ha! Let's just say that she wasn't the most intelligent or loyal partner. But hey, that's what happens when you marry a pretty face without a backbone. Still, she did give me one thing - the ability to realize that marriage is just a business transaction, and love is just a chemical reaction.
Carl Icahn: Only child? Yeah, I guess you could call her that. But she's distant, you know? We barely talk. And when we do, it's like she's speaking a different language. Still, she's got potential - she's smart, determined, and has a fire in her eyes.
Do you like public speaking?
Carl Icahn: Public speaking? Ugh, it's the worst. All those pretentious CEOs trying to act like they're in the spotlight. Give me a good old-fashioned Board meeting any day - at least there, the only performance I care about is the bottom line.
Any other business dealings?
Carl Icahn: Business dealings? You could say that. Let's see... oh, I'm sorry, was that supposed to be a secret? Ah, well, I guess it's hard to keep things hidden when you're a billionaire. Let's just say that I have a bit of a reputation as an activator - I spot inefficiency, and I strike.
Can you provide examples of this?
Carl Icahn: Activator? You bet. Let me give you an example. Say I notice that a certain company is sitting on a gold mine of intellectual property, but their CEO has no clue how to monetize it. I'll make my move, invest in some key hires, and before you can say "Icahn," they're a lean, mean innovation machine.
Can you provide more specific numbers?
Carl Icahn: Specific numbers? Ha! Let's just say that I've never met a CEO who couldn't use a little tune-up. Sure, they might have made me a 20% return last quarter, but I bet they could do a lot better with the right strategy and a few key hires. And let me tell you, I know a thing or two about turning a profit.
How about returns on investment?
Carl Icahn:Returns on investment? Ha! You want to talk about returns? I can show you returns that will make your head spin.