SiriusXM host and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith refused to go along with CNN guest host Kasie Hunt during a recent episode of “State of the Union,” informing her plainly that he would not “denigrate or insult” President Donald Trump. The president ripped into Smith after he claimed that Trump had fallen asleep during Game Three of the NBA Finals in New York City, which the Knicks lost against the San Antonio Spurs.
Hunt asked Smith about Trump’s remarks about the need for a “high IQ” in order to serve as the commander-in-chief. Smith wouldn’t take the bait, proving he’s a smart man that isn’t willing to be used as a political pawn. “But I’m not here to denigrate or insult the president of the United States in that regard. He is certainly an upgrade from what we were seeing from Joe Biden in terms of his alertness and what have you. I certainly would say that,” Smith said, referencing reports regarding the decline of Trump’s predecessor.”
“I would not accuse him of that. But I’m not going to insult the president,” he added. “What I would say, however, is that he showed up to a Knick[s] game, and he was caught on camera. This isn’t me saying it, you saw it on camera. He was caught napping, OK?” Smith explained. “And the owner of the New York Knicks, James Dolan, was sitting right next to him and he didn’t look awake either.”
He then said, “And so that’s it. Just pointing it out. It is what it is, but he is the president. He’s got a lot on his plate.” According to The Daily Caller via AOL, The Wall Street Journal published a number of reports concerning former President Joe Biden’s obvious declining mental acuity, prior to his July 21, 2024 announcement that he would not seek reelection.
In a report from December 19, 2024, the Journal stated that aides in the White House at the time had “insulated” Biden, even from his cabinet members, as his health and mental capacity continued to worsen. Smith didn’t shy away from the possibility of having an interview with the president to talk about important issues facing the American people.
“But I would certainly say that, if you really, really want to be serious about questioning somebody’s I.Q., put me at the same table as you and we could have a discussion in front of the masses about some decisions that you have made on behalf, supposedly, of the American people. And we will see where my I.Q. lands then,” Smith said to Hunt.
Smith also shot down all the rumors swirling about that he would serve as someone’s running mate, even though he said he would ultimately run as a Democrat. “My question for you is, if somebody were to offer you a slot on the ticket as their vice president, which only requires potentially a half— months— ” Hunt went on to ask before Smith cut her off with, “Never, never. Never. I’m not interested in being no vice president. I’m not interested in being number two.”
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“I’m not interested in being the head of the Senate just to break a tie or to give speeches. No,” Smith continued, clarifying that he’s only interested in being at the top of whatever he decides to do. “If I were to do something like that, it would be for the big job. It would be for the presidency of the United States of America or nothing. I’m not trying to be number two at anything I do.”
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