ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith has voiced criticisms of high-profile individuals who supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, including Oprah Winfrey and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Smith claimed their campaign tactics may have distanced voters.
A New York City native, Smith is known for his passionate and often controversial commentary. His career extends beyond just sports analysis. After receiving a basketball scholarship, he attended Winston-Salem State University, although an injury cut short his basketball career. Smith, who holds a degree in mass communication, began his career as a sports journalist and joined ESPN in 2003, quickly becoming a regular feature on shows like “First Take” and “NBA Countdown.”
Smith is no stranger to controversy, with his comments on domestic violence, his views on athletes’ use of recreational drugs, and his candid critiques of certain sports figures often sparking debates on social media.
Smith suggested that the wealthy celebrities’ attempts to sway voters through guilt and moral lecturing could have contributed to Harris’ loss to Donald Trump in the presidential race.
Referencing the celebrity supporters, Smith said, “They’re worth hundreds of millions if not billions. They’re incredibly detached from [voters’] way of life and their quality of life.”
Smith pointed out specific comments made by Obama, implying that supporting Trump was against women’s interests. He argued that this tactic was not effective with male voters. Smith also criticized Winfrey’s cautionary statements about the future of voting rights under Trump’s administration.
“If we don’t agree with you, we’re against you – that kind of rhetoric doesn’t work,” Smith stated in his political commentary.
Smith described the election results as a “referendum on the Democratic Party” and an “annihilation” of Harris by Trump, indicating voter concerns about the economy, border policies, and transgender rights in sports. He suggested that the Democrats’ stance on these issues, together with celebrity endorsements, led to their electoral defeat.
Smith’s increased involvement in political commentary is happening amidst his contract negotiations with ESPN, where he is reportedly seeking a nine-figure deal. His appearances on conservative host Sean Hannity’s show have involved discussions about Trump’s age and mental fitness, as well as other political matters.
While Smith has criticized both major political parties, he recently discussed his potential political ambitions, revealing that he would consider a presidential run if he thought he had a real chance of winning. However, he specified that he would adopt different approaches to key issues, especially immigration policy. He stated that he would oppose Trump’s extreme approach to immigration, particularly the denial of citizenship to children born in the United States to immigrant parents.