Stephen A. Smith staunchly supported Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on Monday, criticizing calls for her resignation due to her political stance. He labeled the demands as “shameful.”
During a segment on “Special Edition,” Smith expressed his thoughts clearly. “One thing I will never allow is intimidation or attempts to rally people against me to silence me. Not happening. I’m not built that way,” he stated towards the end of a 40-minute episode where he addressed the backlash.
Smith pointed out those urging listeners to stop supporting his show, saying, “Everyone is entitled to their opinions, that’s fair. But calling for a rally against me? That’s just childish. I’m not going anywhere, and I aim to grow my platform.”
He began Monday’s show by discussing the “drama” he faced over the weekend, relating to criticism of his comments about Crockett. He reaffirmed his respect for her but reiterated concerns that her approach may not be effective, influencing opposing viewpoints instead.
“I respect intelligent women, absolutely. But is how Jasmine presents herself benefitting her Texas district? She could easily find herself at odds with Trump’s agenda. I’m not there just to find a way to move forward; sometimes, you need to do your job,” Smith remarked last week.
“It’s not just about the job,” he elaborated. “Recognizing the power dynamics is key. With Republicans controlling both the Senate and House, working with them could yield benefits for your district.”
In the recent episode, Smith called attention to past remarks from Crockett, which he believed conflicted with her purported goal of supporting Democrats and their constituents. He played a clip where she referred to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) as “Governor Hot Wheels,” adding, “His only charm is that he’s a messed-up person.”
Smith critiqued this type of language as “street rhetoric,” questioning its effectiveness in her role. “In her position, such remarks won’t propel her forward. That’s my point. This educated, capable Black woman, representing over 750,000 people, uses words that belong on the streets. But how does that translate into effective negotiations in Capitol Hill?”
He noted that Republicans on the Hill would eagerly promote such soundbites for their benefit. “Why is that? Because it furthers their agenda,” he said.
Smith suggested that Crockett should focus on winning elections and advancing her career—possibly aiming for a federal judgeship, challenging a Republican senator, or seeking a committee chair position. “I truly value her passion, intelligence, and bravery in stepping up, but isn’t it also about winning? Isn’t it about actually accomplishing something?”
