Stephen A. Smith slammed as ‘idiot’ for claiming ‘Black people identify with Trump’ over his legal struggles

Stephen A. Smith sparked outrage on social media last week after appearing on Fox News and accusing Democrats of politicizing the criminal justice system against Donald Trump, suggesting that the timing of his criminal hush money trial was staged to disrupt the 2024 election. and sabotage of the previous president’s office. possibilities of regaining the Oval Office.

But that wasn’t the worst of what he needed to say, as the controversial ESPN host compared Trump’s current legal woes to the long history of racism and struggles faced by tens of millions of Black Americans and their ancestors.

Smith made controversial remarks during Sean Hannity’s April 18 prime-time news show, arguing that Democrats were pushing for Trump’s trial to start before the election with a purpose to nail the GOP front-runner and pave the best way for President Joe Biden’s re-election in November.

“First of all, I have voted Democrat all my life, but I am completely disgusted by what I see,” said Smith, who has turn into famous for expressing his loud and contradictory views.

This time was no different, as Smith told the conservative audience that Democrats were pursuing the hush money agenda because otherwise they would not have the opportunity to stop Trump’s rising popularity within the polls, especially amongst black voters.

“They have clearly politicized this issue with Donald Trump because they can’t come up with a strategy to counterbalance the momentum that he has clearly gained,” Smith said in that shameless moment. “It looks like this is their strategy, but let me tell you, it’s not working. It doesn’t work at all.”

However, before the primary of Trump’s 4 criminal trials begins on Monday in Manhattan, a poll conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov showed Trump holding only a slim lead over Biden after an earlier double-digit lead that had all but evaporated in recent weeks, while Biden gained ground to force a virtual tie with Trump at 44 percent in mid-April.

Smith later sparked much more outrage when he compared Trump’s legal situation to the struggles of black people throughout history, which Smith said made Trump more attractive to black voters.

“In Donald Trump’s statement a few weeks ago where he talked about hearing that Black people found him relatable because what he was going through was similar to what Black Americans have been through. He wasn’t lying,” Smith said confidently. “He spoke the truth. When you see law enforcement, the court system, and everything else being used against him, it’s something that Black people across the country can relate to.

“With some of our historic, iconic figures, we have seen this happen throughout society. So no matter your race or ethnicity, we stand with you as you suffer because we know you do. And that’s what he expressed.”

Smith’s defense of Trump drew swift rebukes from a number of prominent Black activists, including Bishop Talbert Swan, a Massachusetts pastor known for his outspokenness on issues related to racial justice and social equality, who sharply criticized Smith for his “irresponsible remarks.”

“Stephen A. Smith appears on Fox News, anti-Black and white supremacist assault, and compares Donald Trump, who was prosecuted for paying a porn star to hide money, with historical, Black, civil rights and freedom fighter figures like Martin Luther King Jr. “Malcolm leader of the Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ. – he wrote on the platform X

“Stephen, you should be ashamed and ashamed of yourself,” he added.

Later in the interview, Smith tried to save face by insisting he did not support a second Trump term, saying, “I need him to lose” – a complete reversal from his earlier statement in which he sharply criticized Democrats and expressed support for the Republican leader.

“And honestly, it doesn’t bother me that it doesn’t work because I may not be a supporter of Donald Trump, but I want him to lose the right way.”

Smith’s apparent attempt to clarify his position did little to erase the controversy sparked by his earlier comments, which appeared contradictory and unclear.

These remarks left many social media users literally scratching their heads after the commentator said he wanted Trump to lose the election “the best way,” meaning without Democratic meddling and interference.

“I actually don’t understand why anyone would take heed to anything Stephen A. Smith has to say about politics,” one user wrote along with a meme of Nene Leakes from Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, rolling her eyes. “I don’t want his opinion on sports.”

Another user X tagged Smith, claiming the commenter had his opinions “right.” But I have the right to be horrified by his idiotic opinions – especially the racist opinions that say that black people sympathize with and identify with accused criminals. I will no longer watch any show on ESPN that he hosts or stars in. He is reprehensible.”

“Supporting a white guy who hates black people? Can someone explain this sensibly to me? What a great sale,” another X user chimed in.

Smith’s support for Trump was troubling as Trump continued to repeat racist whistles on the campaign trail, stirring controversy and energizing his supporters while lashing out at the Black court officials overseeing his numerous criminal and civil cases, making them targets of his endless political attack . complaints.

Trump’s self-proclaimed enemies include New York Attorney General Letitia James, who recently won a multimillion-dollar civil claim against Trump’s businesses; U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over Trump’s impeachment on federal election interference charges; and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who charged Trump with 34 crimes related to the “financial silence” scheme involving former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

All court clerks are black.

In February, Trump sparked another such firestorm after referring to President Biden as a “very nasty and cruel racist” during a speech at the Black Conservative Federation’s annual gala in South Carolina.

After the speech, members of the Biden campaign wasted no time in criticizing Trump for pandering to the Black community, while accusing the former president of intentionally stoking racial tensions.

In a statement after the speech, Vice President Kamala Harris sharply criticized Trump, calling him a hypocrite and dishonest.

“The audacity of Donald Trump to speak to a room full of black voters during Black History Month as if he were not a proud poster for modern racism,” Harris fumed. “This is the same man who falsely accused the Central Park 5, questioned George Floyd’s humanity, compared his own impeachment trial to a lynching, and caused the unemployment rate for Black workers to skyrocket during his presidency.”

Harris then twice highlighted Trump’s true disregard for the Black community.

“Donald Trump has been showing Black Americans his true colors for years: an incompetent, anti-Black tyrant who holds us in such low esteem that he dined publicly with white nationalists a week after announcing his 2024 candidacy.

“In November, no matter how many disingenuous voter engagement events he attends, Black Americans will show Donald Trump that we know exactly who he is,” Harris added.

Shortly thereafter, Georgia state senator Raphael Warnock criticized Trump for always targeting black women in his speeches, while defending Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her involvement in the romance scandal.

“I’m never surprised when I see Donald Trump attacking women, especially black women,” the Georgia Democrat told Jake Tapper in a March interview. “That’s who he is.”

Smith, on the other hand, had nothing negative to say about Trump and at times appeared to express admiration for the former president, who has been accused of bigotry by many other prominent black leaders.

Instead, Stephen A. told Hannity that he didn’t think it was the right time to hold Trump accountable despite the long time that had passed since the alleged transactions involving him. But Smith, in the same breath, emphasized his strong desire for Trump to lose in November.

“I want him to lose because you have better ideas and present your arguments to the American people better than he does. That’s why I want him to lose,” Smith said. “I don’t desire him to lose the best way they’re attempting to make him lose.”

Meanwhile, Trump faces a complete of 88 criminal charges, including 34 within the hush money indictment that accuses him of using campaign funds to hide an alleged affair with Stormy Daniels before his 2016 election.

The case alleges that Trump unlawfully altered business records by reimbursing his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the quantity of the payment to Daniels, concealing the scandal from voters and helping seal Trump’s shock victory eight years ago.

It is unclear whether any of the remaining criminal cases will go to trial before November because Trump was the primary president in history to face criminal charges, accused of election fraud on the state and federal levels and illegally keeping secret documents after leaving office.