Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith took aim at Democratic lawmakers following President Donald Trumpâs State of the Union address, arguing their response handed the president a political advantage.
According to Fox News, while speaking on his show âStraight Shooter,â Smith said Trump anticipated the reaction from his opponents and used it to his benefit.
âDonald Trump, when he asks the question about cheering and asking about protecting American citizens and prioritizing them ahead of migrants, he set you up! He knew you werenât going to stand. He knew 73 of yâall were going to show up to other places and not show up to the State of the Union,â Smith said.
Trump delivered a record-length speech on Tuesday while some Democrats skipped the event and attended a counter-program instead.
Smith argued that the optics reinforced Trumpâs narrative about his critics.
âAnd heâs making the claim that you hate him so much youâre devoid of objectivity, and youâre devoid of thinking about whatâs in the best interest of the United States of America because youâre too busy thinking about your own personal feelings and animus towards him,â Smith continued.
He warned that the reaction allowed Trump to frame the moment on his own terms.
âAnd every time you do that, he smiles and mocks you and has a field day. You played right into his hand,â Smith added. âDonât come back at me and say âF Stephen A. Smith,â or âStephen A. Smith is selling out,â or âStephen A. Smith is this way or that way.â Iâm just telling you what it is. Donât kill the messenger!â
Smith urged Democrats to focus on strategy rather than emotion.
âShape the message in a fashion that benefits you for once. The man has been playing yâall like a fiddle for 11 years now, and you still canât beat him! Damn! You keep falling right into his hands, and itâs a damn shame.â
He also questioned whether confrontational rhetoric helps the party politically.
âWho do you think is affected when we see Rep. Omar screaming at him the way that she has? When you see James Carville going off the way that he does? Ladies and gentlemen, Iâm not knocking them. Iâm not denigrating them. Please donât take it that way. Iâm saying, when are you going to get committed to what works?â Smith said.
Smith contrasted the political messaging with what he said voters prioritize.
âThatâs what they care about. They donât give a damn whether they like them or not. When are we going to get that? What the hell is wrong with people? I cannot believe this,â he said, referring to issues such as healthcare, housing costs, job security, and gas prices.
Although Smith often aligns with Democrats, he has publicly criticized the party on several occasions. He recently called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to address homelessness, crime, and state finances during an appearance on his show.
âI simply want you to answer for your state about the homelessness that Obama just alluded to, which he labeled an embarrassment,â Smith said. âAbout the crime. About defund the police, about being a sanctuary city and state. About billions in debt. About homelessness. Whereâs the answer to those questions?â
Smith framed his comments as political advice rather than an attack, saying Democrats need to adopt tactics that resonate with voters rather than reactions that benefit Trump.