It’s rare that sports commentator Stephen A. Smith feels the need to apologize, but after facing backlash over his criticism of a top Democrat official, it seems he’s backtracking. For the last few weeks, Black folks have been accusing Smith of beating down on Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Now, he finally responded.
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We previously told you Smith called out Democrats– including Crockett by name– for trolling President Donald Trump instead of actually fighting for the American people. He called her language “rhetoric for the streets” while questioning if Crockett’s methods actually benefit her constituents. Expectedly, many MAGA supporters praised him while Black Americans accused him of pandering to the president.
The ESPN host spoke on his “Straight Shooter” podcast on Wednesday (Oct. 22) addressing the madness. “I get it now,” Smith began. “With Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him fodder or ammunition, to continue to go out there and talk about our Black women that way. I got it. I don’t like that at all.”
Crockett is one of the many Black women who the president has insulted publicly, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook. Trump’s attacks have fueled anti-Black rhetoric, and Smith said he doesn’t want to be part of that narrative.
“I don’t want to be associated with nothing like that,” he continued. “I apologize because I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she has accomplished.” The Texan is one of the leading voices in her state and within her entire party. Of course, this has led to her bumping heads with the president and MAGA Republicans.
Smith added, “I appreciate the fact that she feels compelled to fight the way that she’s fought, the way that she fights because of what she’s dealing with.” He chucked the misunderstanding up to his “call it like I see it” nature. But at the same time, the sports journalist acknowledged his recklessness. “It should be done respectfully,” he said. “It should be done with the sensitivity that it needs to be done with.”
Online, however, many Black folks didn’t want to hear it. “Throw you and that apology in the trash,” @Mahogany_Mama said on X.
Another user, @HarlemW68630436, wrote it’s “tooooooooo late for the bull**t.” He continued, “You said it and you meant it, only now the backlash has gotten to you it’s an apology? we not buying it.”
@lifestyleofcs called him a “fraudulent deceitful and a disgusting c00n” before adding, “We see you forehead.”
Over past months, Smith has become increasingly vocal about his politics, and it’s gotten him in trouble with Democrats, Republicans and even his own fanbase because of it, we previously reported. This even fueled speculation that he would one day run for office. President Trump even told the sports commentator he’d “love to see him run.”
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