The Stephen A. Smith Show (Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith)

Episode: "DEMOCRATS SWEEP ELECTIONS, OHIO REP. JIM JORDAN, HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON"
Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith (SiriusXM, POTUS radio channel 124)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith takes his sharp, unapologetic approach to politics, breaking down the aftermath of the recent elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, which saw significant Democratic victories. With the nation in the midst of the longest government shutdown in history, Smith scrutinizes the implications, dives headfirst into contentious issues like police funding, tax policy, and healthcare, and hosts interviews with two influential Republican leaders: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Smith also fields poignant calls from listeners, emphasizing centrist, pragmatic debate over partisan extremes.

Main Discussion Themes

• The impact and meaning of Democrats’ statewide wins and the election of Zoran Mamdani as NYC mayor.
• Ongoing government shutdown: causes, culprits, and consequences for federal employees and the public.
• Ideological divisions within both political parties, especially the ascendancy of the progressive left.
• GOP’s position and strategy after electoral losses; Trump's continued dominance over the party narrative.
• Deep dive into healthcare policy—costs, coverage, and ACA subsidies—amidst political brinksmanship.
• Listener calls: public’s take on bipartisanship, immigration, media, and holding Congress accountable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Election Results & Their Significance

• Democratic Sweep:
  Smith opens by contextualizing the Democratic victories in New York (Mamdani), New Jersey (Mikie Sherrill), and Virginia (Abigail Spanberger). All won by convincing margins, with Smith highlighting the growing generational and ideological divides within the Democratic electorate.

  • "This election was as much about Trump as it was about anybody... I think they went to the polls because they wanted to send a message that they are against Donald Trump." (Stephen A. Smith, 12:43)

• Zoran Mamdani’s Win:
  Smith expresses both admiration and apprehension regarding Mamdani—praised for charisma and progressive politics but critiqued for ambitious policies (defunding police, free public goods, rent freezes) whose feasibility Smith questions.

  • "I'm very, very concerned about some of the things that he said. I'm very concerned about what he once said about defunding the police. I'm calling 911. I'm being real with you. I don't want to see less police officers. I want to see more police officers." (Stephen A. Smith, 03:50)

• Difference in Democratic Strategies:
  Smith differentiates between pragmatic centrists (Sherrill, Spanberger) and the progressive approach represented by Mamdani, warning of potential consequences for the party if they lean too far left.

2. Government Shutdown: Blame Game and Consequences

• Historical Context:
  At day 36, the shutdown surpasses the previous record, hitting over a million federal employees in DC and beyond. Smith and guests stress the tangible pain for families.

  • "People ain't receiving a paycheck. How long you think that's gonna last before disorder reigns? You can't do this to American people." (Stephen A. Smith, 10:27)

• Blame Allocation:
  Smith plays clips from Marjorie Taylor Greene blaming Speaker Mike Johnson ("It is an embarrassment to me that we’re not in session.” – Greene, 13:41) and reads statements from Republican leaders, with both parties insisting the other is culpable.

• Republican Leaders’ Defenses:
  Jim Jordan and Mike Johnson claim they tried to pass "clean" CRs (Continuing Resolutions) and put the shutdown at the feet of Senate Democrats, particularly Schumer and Jeffries, whom they argue are bowing to the progressive base to avoid primary challengers.

3. Interview Highlights

a. Jim Jordan, Chair, House Judiciary Committee

Interview starts at [20:42]

• On Election Losses:
  Jordan dismisses Democratic wins as expected in “three blue states and one really blue city," warning against “socialist” policies in NYC.

  • "The fact that they elected a socialist there is, I think, probably... I had the opportunity 30 some years ago to compete in the Soviet Union... run by the government, which is what Mr. Momdani wants to do." (Jim Jordan, 21:14)

• On the Shutdown:
  Asserts that Senate Dems are at fault for not voting on the CR; attributes Schumer's motives to primary fears from the left.

  • "The real question, and everyone knows that’s the case, Stephen, because six months ago, Chuck Schumer voted for the exact same thing he won’t vote for now..." (Jim Jordan, 23:30)

• On Healthcare & ACA Subsidies:
  Critiques government expansion and subsidies, stating they drive up healthcare costs and primarily benefit insurance companies.

  • "The way you bring down health care costs is not have more government... look at higher education for goodness. Look what it costs people to go there because there's so much government involved." (Jim Jordan, 28:15)

• On GOP Health Care Plan:
  Lays out a vision for more market-based solutions: HSAs, catastrophic insurance, and deregulation; resists further government intervention.

• On Trump and Party Loyalty:
  Strongly defends Trump's record; equates Trump’s leadership style to a competitive athlete who "hates to lose."

  • "No one has done more of what they told the American people they were going to do than this guy." (Jim Jordan, 35:19)

• On Political Retribution:
  Denies that ongoing investigations are about revenge: “We're talking about the facts.” (35:48)

  • Confirms Trump declined to pursue Hillary Clinton post-2016 for "the good of the country."
    • "If he was a man of retribution, he would have went after Hillary in 2017..." (Jim Jordan, 39:50)

• On the Democratic Party:
  Argues that “the hard left has taken over” and that “crazy” progressive demands are now mainstream among Democrats.

  • "Not all Democrats are crazy, but the left that controls their party is." (Jim Jordan, 44:31)

b. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House

Interview starts at [51:05]

• On Responsibility for Shutdown:
  Insists only Senate Democrats can end it; their refusal is motivated by fear of the party’s progressive wing.

  • "I wish I could tell you, really, the only person that can answer that is Chuck Schumer... real pain is being felt by real people." (Mike Johnson, 51:25)

• On ACA Subsidies Fight:
  Dismisses the Democrats' health care reasoning as a "red herring," arguing the real motivation is base politics.

• On Electoral Impact:
  Minimizes November’s result as unsurprising but expresses optimism for GOP prospects due to demographic shifts.

• On Immigration & Border Security:
  Claims the GOP "checked the box" by eliminating illegal crossings and emphasizes the importance of targeting "hardened criminals" among the undocumented.

• On Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Criticism:
  Downplays Greene’s attacks: "I'm not unaccustomed to hearing criticism from Marjorie... everybody has the right, you know." (58:17)

• On Health Care System Costs:
  Argues ACA subsidies prop up a "broken system"; lists Republican proposals for genuine cost reduction (CSR provisions, market reforms).

  • "If you extend the Obamacare cups the COVID era subsidy... it will cost taxpayers 358 billion additional dollars." (Mike Johnson, 63:11)

• On SNAP Benefit Cuts:
  Blames the shutdown and resulting contingency plans for delays in food assistance.

• On Congressional Pay During Shutdown:
  Asserts that Demands for Congress to forgo pay are “grandstanding,” but does not commit to withholding pay en masse.

• On the Epstein Files & New Rep Swearing-in:
  Dismisses allegations of partisan delay; assures oversight and release of files is ongoing.

• On Filibuster:
  Resists Trump’s calls to eliminate it, citing its checks and balances.

  • "It's a very important safeguard against the worst impulses of the Democrat party... massive whiplashes for the people between elections, between the parties, and that wouldn't be good for the system." (Mike Johnson, 71:19)

4. Listener Call-In Highlights

• Callers thank Stephen A. for centrist leadership:
  "You've become a real voice for the moderates and for those of us who still believe in balance and reason and honest conversation." (Caller, Ken, 74:10)

• On Immigration’s Economic Impact:
  Debate over the effects of immigration on inflation and labor force, with callers citing economists and demographic trends. Smith offers nuanced takes supporting both border integrity and a welcoming mosaic.

• On Affordable Care Act & Who Benefits:
  Callers challenge and clarify misunderstandings around who actually receives ACA benefits, especially as it relates to undocumented immigrants.

• On Partisan Media:
  Callers echo Smith’s push for citizens to "educate themselves" via a diversity of news sources and avoid media silos.

• On Congressional Hypocrisy:
  Sharp criticism of Congress for failing to enact term limits, cut its own pay/benefits, or ban stock trading, drawing agreement from Smith.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This election was as much about Trump as it was about anybody... I think they went to the polls because they wanted to send a message that they are against Donald Trump."
  — Stephen A. Smith, [12:43]

• "The fact that they elected a socialist there is, I think, probably... That's where they're headed in New York if the policies he's advocating actually, actually happen."
  — Jim Jordan, [21:14]

• "The way you bring down health care costs is not have more government... more government gets involved, drives up the cost."
  — Jim Jordan, [28:15]

• "People ain't receiving a paycheck. How long you think that's gonna last before disorder reigns? You can't do this to American people."
  — Stephen A. Smith, [10:27]

• "I'm very, very concerned about some of the things that he said. I'm very concerned about what he once said about defunding the police. I'm calling 911. I'm being real with you."
  — Stephen A. Smith, [03:50]

• "We solve the border crisis... We cut taxes, we cut regulations, fraud, waste, and abuse in government..."
  — Mike Johnson, [56:06]

• "Not all Democrats are crazy, but the left that controls their party is."
  — Jim Jordan, [44:31]

• "If Donald Trump were not president, do you believe that the Democrats would be this rigid in their thinking, in your estimation? No way."
  — Mike Johnson, [67:31]

• "If federal employees don't get paid, you don't get paid. You don't have any health care either. Got to make sure that our elected officials suffer with the people just as much as the people suffer."
  — Stephen A. Smith, [96:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Monologue & election analysis: 00:34 – 20:42
• Interview: Rep. Jim Jordan: 20:42 – 47:06
• Interview: Speaker Mike Johnson: 51:05 – 73:03
• Listener calls/feedback: 74:00 – End

Tone, Language & Style

Stephen A. Smith’s tone throughout is passionate, direct, and irreverent—balancing humor and seriousness, challenging his guests, and emphasizing everyman common sense. He anchors policy debates in plain language and lived experience, pushing both elected officials and listeners to reject tribalism and demand practical solutions. He doesn’t shy away from calling out hypocrisy or inconsistency, regardless of party.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures American political debate at a moment of intense polarization, government paralysis, and generational change. With incisive guest interviews and lively listener calls, Smith frames the conversation around accountability, pragmatism, and the perils of ideological extremism. Whether discussing policy minutiae, intra-party struggles, or the human cost of government dysfunction, Smith pushes for clarity, reason, and real talk—hallmarks of his transformative approach to broadcasting.