Stephen A. Smith Reflects on a Challenging Year

On his SiriusXM show, Stephen A. Smith opened up about what has been a particularly tough year for him.

Typically known for his energetic personality and love for debate, Smith adopted a more somber tone in a recent episode of “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.”

He shared a story about a joke his friend Kevin Hart made during a Netflix roast, humorously placing Smith on a “Mount Rushmore” of racism alongside figures like Shane Gillis, Kid Rock, and Hulk Hogan.

While Smith claimed to be fine with the joke, it was the source of the jest that stung the most. “If it was a joke, I don’t have an issue with it. If it wasn’t meant to be funny, still no problem,” he said. “What upset me was that it came from someone I respected and had affection for.”

Smith elaborated that the joke was painful because it fed into negative stereotypes about him that he has fought against throughout his life. “It’s difficult to hear this from someone who actually knows me, especially when I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for my community,” he noted.

This incident also led to discussions about his political beliefs, including claims of him being “silenced” due to his views. Smith pointed out that he’s always been a vocal supporter of the Democratic Party, yet feels that there are forces attempting to stifle his voice.

In previous appearances, he has expressed mixed feelings about voting decisions, including regret over supporting Kamala Harris, and voiced criticism of leadership across both major political parties.

Back in February, he mentioned the idea of running for president but quickly dampened speculation. “I can’t do that if it means giving up financial stability,” he admitted during an interview, reflecting on the sacrifices that come with such ambitions.