After sparking backlash over his comments about Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett, Stephen A. Smith has responded to the criticism.
On the latest episode of his radio show, Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith, he addressed the backlash, which many considered disrespectful. “I have nothing but respect for her,” he said. “I just disagree on what she’s making headlines for because I think it’s counterproductive to the ultimate goal.”
Earlier this month, he criticized Crockett for focusing more on criticizing the Trump administration than helping her constituents in Texas. “Aren’t you there to find a way to get stuff done, as opposed to just being an impediment to what Trump wants? How much work goes into that?” he said, in comments that faced criticism online. He also suggested that she should consider working with Trump to get stuff done for her constituents, instead.
On Straight Shooter, he insisted that he wasn’t being disrespectful or misogynistic toward Crockett. “Here we are, and the word ‘disrespect’ comes in and people try to engage with words, you know, like ‘disrespect’ and ‘implying misogyny’ and all of this other nonsense. Stop it,” he said. “Can we be grown-ups and deal with what the real issue is involving what I said?”
He went on to list some of the criticism he got from people, and questioned how it was “disrespectful” to say what he did. He specifically called attention to what Willie D of the Geto Boys said, accusing Smith of “tearing down a Black woman who’s out here putting in real work.” He also shared a screenshot of Crockett reposting Willie D’s comments.
“Ain’t nothing about her stupid, ain’t nothing about her to dismiss or disrespect when it comes to her resume,” he continued. “Her success in delivering wins for her district is quote unquote, mixed. … Many of her major efforts are still works in progress, bills stuck committees introduced but have stalled, etc. According to Congress.Gov, I’m just reading! … While she’s great at fundraising, the challenge for her was cultivating relationships in Congress. And what does that mean? Potentially going across the aisle when you don’t want to.”
He continued to question what her effectiveness is in Congress if she’s focusing more on defense against Trump and the Republicans, rather than getting things done for her congressional district. “Never mind what she feels,” he said. “When you’re in her position, that’s not going to get you anywhere. That’s what I was saying. What I was saying was, this educated, brilliant Black woman, representing 750,000 people, is engaging in verbiage and rhetoric for the streets.”
Check out his full rant, doubling down on his criticism of Jasmine Crockett, above.
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