The Stephen A. Smith Show – A CONVERSATION WITH TEXAS SENATOR TED CRUZ
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz (Texas)
Platform: SiriusXM POTUS Radio / Podcast
OVERVIEW
In this riveting episode of Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith, Stephen goes "beyond sports" to interview Senator Ted Cruz in front of a live studio audience in Washington, D.C. The episode dives deep into hot-button political issues such as the federal government shutdown, the controversial release of the Epstein files, the role of bipartisanship, redistricting, immigration, antisemitism, and more. The discussion ranges from the nitty-gritty of Senate rules to the future of the American left and right, always fueled by Stephen’s signature straight-talk and Cruz’s unfiltered conservative perspective. Listener questions drive the latter segment, resulting in a refreshingly nuanced, candid dialogue rarely heard in today’s polarized media landscape.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS
1. Federal Government Shutdown and Congressional Dysfunction
[17:17] Stephen A. Smith: "First things first, the shutdown is over. Thank the good Lord."
- Cruz explains the 43-day government shutdown resulted from Democratic political infighting, particularly pressure on Chuck Schumer from the party’s progressive wing.
- The filibuster's 60-vote requirement means bipartisan consensus is necessary, but party divisions prevent progress.
“The Democrats, I think, wanted a shutdown... It was basically just political anger that shut the government down. But a lot of Americans were hurt by the consequence.” — Ted Cruz [17:26]
“Isn't this just kicking the can down the road, though?” — Stephen A. Smith [19:15]
2. The Filibuster Debate
- Cruz staunchly defends the filibuster, arguing that removing it would unleash a wave of progressive legislation, including federalizing election law and packing the Supreme Court.
“If the Democrats take over, they'll end the filibuster. But from our end, we're not going to participate in the demise of the institution.” — Ted Cruz [21:47]
3. Redistricting & Gerrymandering
- Cruz admits Texas’ redistricting benefits Republicans, but claims both parties gerrymander and cites even more lopsided districts in Democratic states like Massachusetts and California.
“Both sides do it and they've done it from the beginning of all time... Politicians are going to be political.” — Ted Cruz [25:07]
- Stephen challenges the double standard, asking, “Isn't that playing the same game you accuse Democrats of?” [24:56]
4. The Influence of Progressives and Party Moderates
- Cruz expresses concern over the absence of Democratic moderates and fears the far left has taken control.
“When Trump was elected in 2016, he basically, I think, broke the brains of the Democrats... The effect of Trump is basically the moderates were chased out of the Democrat Party.” — Ted Cruz [29:11]
5. Cruz’s Relationship with Trump
- Stephen bluntly asks Cruz how he can support Trump after personal attacks in the 2016 race.
- Cruz says his duty to Texas outweighed personal grievances and touts policy accomplishments.
“If I was going to get my feelings hurt and say I'm going to take my ball and go home, I could do that. But I better be prepared to resign from the Senate... I had a job to do.” — Ted Cruz [30:58]
- Stephen: “None of us ever had a problem with [Trump]... it would be hypocritical... now that he's president to act like it was otherwise.” [32:42]
6. Immigration and the Southern Border
- Cruz credits Trump with drastically reducing illegal border crossings and claims support among Texas Hispanics for tougher enforcement.
- Stephen presses Cruz on ICE tactics and optics for the Hispanic community.
“Hispanics, you wanna see a secure border. You wanna see your community safe... I won Hispanics in Texas by six points statewide. And Trump won Hispanics in Texas.” — Ted Cruz [36:14]
- Stephen voices discomfort with aggressive ICE actions and asks, “How do you explain to Hispanics... that that's okay?” [35:38]
7. Epstein Files and Political Hypocrisy
- The show opens with Stephen’s skepticism about both parties’ reluctance to release the Epstein files, suggesting it’s “leveraged dirt” with potential electoral fallout.
“You got to fall back to what my boy said: Trump has become a verb... trumping the Democrats at every turn, playing them like a fiddle.” — Stephen A. Smith [06:12]
- He criticizes both parties for posturing, saying, “There’s always a damn workaround... if you wanted those files open, you could have found a way.” [11:14]
8. Bipartisanship & Political Extremism
- Stephen makes a passionate case for checks and balances and for breaking the all-or-nothing partisanship that is fueling chaos and public anxiety.
“I like checks and balances... I want both sides to be compelled to have to communicate with one another in an effort to get things done... It's the best way to avoid chaos.” — Stephen A. Smith [12:49, 13:20]
9. NCAA, NIL, and College Sports Reform
- In a crossover to sports, Cruz discusses bipartisan work on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) reform with Cory Booker and Chris Coons, emphasizing preserving opportunities for young athletes and HBCUs.
“College sports is a mess right now... If we don't act, I think we're going to see a lot of schools ending their athletic programs.” — Ted Cruz [40:05]
“My hope is we'll come together in a way that brings some sense of order and semblance and protects college sports.” — Ted Cruz [41:46]
10. Antisemitism, Tucker Carlson, and Rhetorical Extremes
- In a memorable closing segment, Stephen and Cruz agree on the dangers of rising antisemitism, calling out both the left and the right.
“Tucker is dangerous. I think what he's saying is wrong. And I'm calling him out over and over and over again... I don't want to wake up in five years and see the Republican Party have gone down the path of the Democrats.” — Ted Cruz [50:10]
- Cruz calls for both parties to expel extremists: “If you are a bigot... you got no business in the Republican Party and we don’t want you.” [51:03]
NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS
- “There's no way that Trump is going to sign off on releasing the Epstein files and not have a boatload of stuff to throw in the Democrats' direction.” — Stephen A. Smith [06:12]
- “There's always a damn workaround. That's all I meant... Where there's a will, there's a way.” — Stephen A. Smith [11:14]
- “If illegal aliens voted, Texas would turn blue instantly... We would end up with the same policies in Texas they have in California.” — Ted Cruz [20:15]
- “Politicians are going to be political. And that’s not new. That was true from the very beginning of time.” — Ted Cruz [25:07]
- “He's got courage, he's got guts in a way that there are not many people in politics that have.” — Ted Cruz on Trump [33:12]
- “I think enforcing the law is entirely consistent with also welcoming legal immigrants. You know, my dad came as an immigrant from Cuba.” — Ted Cruz [38:06]
- [On NIL Reform] “We need to act to preserve that opportunity and to get it done.” — Ted Cruz [40:05]
- “[Tucker Carlson]... he's gone down a very dark path. And I don't want to wake up in five years and see the Republican Party have gone down the path of the Democrats.” — Ted Cruz [50:10]
AUDIENCE Q&A HIGHLIGHTS
Economic Anxiety & Political Division
- Stephen A. champions economic stability as a unifying force: “If people are thriving financially, they have something to lose—and suddenly sensibility kicks in.” [55:51]
On Healthcare / Obamacare
- “Even though we lament what the Democrats came up with with Obamacare, at least they did something... Where’s the Republican health care plan?” — Stephen A. Smith [59:15]
The Future of the Left & Right
- Stephen expresses more concern about the rise of far-left progressives than about Trump, due to the potential for lasting generational change:
“I’m more concerned about the extreme left than I am about Trump... because of the far progressive leftists out there, I think that's a reason to be far more concerned about the state of America.” [66:07, 71:09]
Term Limits
- “I do think there should be term limits with senators and I most certainly believe there should be term limits with the courts.” — Stephen A. Smith [72:30]
SECTION TIMESTAMPS
| Segment | Start | End | Key Points | |--------------------------------|---------|---------|-----------------------------------------------| | Opening Monologue (Epstein, Shutdown, Partisanship) | 00:00 | 16:52 | Epstein files, government shutdown, bipartisanship| | Ted Cruz Interview Pt. 1 | 16:52 | 39:32 | Shutdown, filibuster, redistricting, Trump, immigration, ICE| | Ted Cruz Interview Pt. 2 (Sports, NIL, NCAA) | 39:32 | 48:45 | NCAA, NIL legislation, bipartisanship with Cory Booker| | Ted Cruz Interview Pt. 3 (Antisemitism, Tucker Carlson)|48:45|54:45| Antisemitism on Left/Right, Tucker Carlson| | Audience Q&A & Callers | 55:11 | End | Division in America, healthcare, future of parties, term limits|
OVERALL TONE & THEMES
- Direct. Spirited. No-Spin. Stephen A.'s passionate, common-sense approach pervades the discussion, whether pushing Cruz for harder answers or wrestling with his own political frustrations.
- Candid Bipartisanship: Both Cruz and Stephen A. highlight the importance of working across the aisle and reject extremism on both left and right.
- Skepticism of Political Institutions: There's repeated frustration at political self-dealing, the influence of money, and lack of accountability.
- Relatability: Personal anecdotes, sports analogies, and honest Q&A create a forum that feels “in the room”—not just another TV panel or soundbite.
FINAL REMARK
This episode is a masterclass in frank political dialogue—anchored by sharp questions, ideological candor, and moments of real human insight. Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere else, you'll come away challenged, informed, and maybe a little more hopeful about the possibility of truly understanding the other side.