The Stephen A. Smith Show: Immigration Battle Trump vs. California, Trans Athletes, and Kamala Harris for Governor

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
• Host/Author: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
• Description: On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith offers his renowned perspectives, transcending the sports world to address critical issues across entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. Airing three times a week on YouTube and iHeartRadio, the show features unfiltered opinions on major headlines and candid interviews with top celebrities, innovators, and thought leaders.
• Episode Focus: Discusses the immigration battle between Donald Trump and California, Olympic champion Simone Biles defending trans athletes, and speculations about Kamala Harris running for Governor of California.
• Release Date: June 9, 2025

1. Introduction and Current Landscape

Timestamp: [00:00 - 02:30]

Stephen A. Smith kicks off the episode by addressing ongoing chaos in Los Angeles, California, attributed to an immigration crisis. This situation involves former President Donald Trump, Governor Gavin Newsom, the National Guard, and significant public unrest following ICE raids.

2. Immigration Crisis in Los Angeles

Timestamp: [02:30 - 10:40]

Summary: Stephen A. Smith delves into the recent immigration-related turmoil in Los Angeles. He outlines how ICE's raids on businesses led to violent protests, prompting Trump to deploy up to 2,000 National Guard troops. Governor Newsom has responded by suing the Trump administration, alleging the illegal federalization of the National Guard.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith [03:15]: “There is chaos in the streets of Los Angeles, California because of immigrants. An immigrant crisis is what they're calling it.”
• Donald Trump [07:30]: “All you have to do is look. At the little railroad he's building about 100 times over budget. We're putting a flag pole over there under budget.”
• Governor Gavin Newsom [04:45]: “This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted... he flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard.”

Smith argues that Trump's stance on immigration is gaining traction, citing Arnold Schwarzenegger's analysis on Trump's improving approval ratings regarding immigration.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Insights:

• Timestamp: [09:10]
• Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Trump's net approval rating on immigration has gone up like a rocket. Compare now versus eight years ago during Trump's first term.”

He references polls indicating a Republican lead on immigration and suggests that Trump's aggressive stance aligns with public sentiment.

3. Analysis of California's Position

Timestamp: [10:40 - 14:44]

Smith shifts focus to California's financial struggles exacerbated by immigration. He highlights the state's projected deficits and reliance on reserves, juxtaposing it with the large undocumented population contributing to workforce needs but also straining public resources.

Key Points:

• California faces a projected $12 billion deficit for 2025-2026.
• Approximately 1.8 million undocumented immigrants reside in California, constituting about 7.3% of its population.
• One-third of California's jobs are held by immigrants, both documented and undocumented.

Smith critiques Governor Newsom's approach, questioning his criticisms of Trump while grappling with California's own immigration and fiscal challenges.

Quote:

• Stephen A. Smith [13:30]: “Now, why's he doing it? Gavin Newsom is losing this argument because Donald Trump is winning on this issue.”

4. Interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Timestamp: [22:28 - 44:30]

Host: Stephen A. Smith welcomes Arnold Schwarzenegger to discuss the current immigration issues and Schwarzenegger's new Netflix series, Fubar.

Key Discussion Points:

• Immigration: Schwarzenegger expresses hope for resolving Los Angeles's issues swiftly to prevent further harm to the city's economy and tourism.

  Quote:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger (Attributed as Donald Trump) [23:24]: “My reaction is I hope that they solve this problem as quickly as possible... it’s going to hurt the people of Los Angeles.”

• California's Political Climate: Schwarzenegger critiques Governor Newsom's handling of the situation, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation as a solution.

  Quote:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger [24:29]: “The immigration issue can be resolved very quickly by giving more working permits and student visas to people, and then they don’t have to come in here legally.”

• Netflix Series Fubar: Discussion about the inspiration behind the series, its development, and Schwarzenegger's role as the Chief Action Officer of Netflix.

  Quote:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger [30:25]: “FUBAR stands for 'f*** beyond all recognition.' It’s a perfect blend of comedy, action, and drama.”

• Career Longevity and Advice: Schwarzenegger shares insights on maintaining energy and passion in one's career, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision.

  Quote:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger [44:30]: “The only way you can have energy is when you have a vision. That gives you purpose and keeps you energized.”

Note: There appears to be a transcription error attributing Schwarzenegger's responses to Donald Trump. For accuracy, quotes should be attributed to Schwarzenegger as per the content flow.

5. Sports Segment and Sponsorships

Timestamp: [18:00 - 29:59]

Throughout the episode, Stephen A. Smith integrates advertisements and promotions for Chumba Casino and Prize Picks. He provides sports analysis, particularly focusing on the NBA playoffs.

Key Points:

• Analysis of upcoming NBA Finals games with player performance predictions.
• Promotion of Prize Picks app with promo codes for listeners.

Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith [28:00]: “The Oklahoma City Thunder evened the series against the Indiana Pacers. On the series as the series heads to Indiana for game three on Wednesday night.”
• Advertisements: Frequent mentions of Chumba Casino and Prize Picks, encouraging listeners to engage with these platforms using specific promo codes.

6. Transgender Athletes Debate: Simone Biles vs. Riley Gaines

Timestamp: [46:00 - 51:57]

Summary: Stephen A. Smith addresses the heated exchange between Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former swimmer Riley Gaines over transgender inclusion in women's sports. Gaines, a conservative pundit, has criticized policies allowing transgender women to compete, leading to public rebuttals from Biles.

Key Points:

• Riley Gaines' Lawsuit: Gaines filed a lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing transgender swimmer Leah Thomas to compete, claiming it violates Title IX.
• Simone Biles' Response: Biles criticized Gaines for undermining the trans community and being a "sore loser."
• Smith’s Commentary: He acknowledges the complexity of the issue but questions Gaines' extreme remarks, particularly her inappropriate reference to Larry Nassar in her backlash against Biles.

Notable Quotes:

• Simone Biles [51:42]: “You're truly sick. All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser.”
• Riley Gaines [51:44]: “Seven-time gold medalist stance on transgender athletes is disappointing and labeled her a 'male apologist.'”
• Stephen A. Smith [50:00]: “Respectfully, Gaines, that’s going a bit too far. Using a guy like Larry Nassar... that’s just cruel.”

Smith emphasizes the importance of maintaining respect and avoiding personal attacks, advocating for a balanced discussion on transgender inclusion in sports.

7. Speculation on Kamala Harris Running for Governor of California

Timestamp: [58:29 - 65:58]

Summary: Toward the episode's conclusion, Stephen A. Smith discusses former Vice President Kamala Harris' decision not to run for Governor of California, analyzing the implications for her political future and the Democratic Party.

Key Points:

• Harris' Statement: She announced her decision not to enter the gubernatorial race, citing a deeper sense of responsibility amidst national challenges.

  Quote:

  • Kamala Harris [64:00]: “After careful thought and heartfelt conversations with my family and trusted advisors, I have decided not to enter the race for Governor of California.”

• Smith's Analysis: He contends that Harris' choice signals the end of her political ambitions, particularly her prospects for the presidency in 2028. Smith criticizes the Democratic Party's old guard and suggests a need for new leadership to regain the electorate's trust.

  Quote:

  • Stephen A. Smith [65:00]: “I tell you right now. Remember I said that. Remember I said that. She ain't winning the presidency.”

• Audience Interaction: Listeners call in to share their opinions on immigration and Harris' political moves. Smith defends his stance on immigration, emphasizing the challenges California faces as a sanctuary state.

8. Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [65:58 - End]

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating key points discussed, thanking guests, and promoting upcoming content including Arnold Schwarzenegger's Fubar on Netflix.

Final Thoughts:

• Immigration: Continues to be a pivotal issue affecting national and state politics.
• Transgender Athletes: Remains a divisive topic with significant social implications.
• Kamala Harris: Smith remains skeptical about her future political aspirations, particularly her chances in the 2028 presidential race.

Quote:

• Stephen A. Smith [65:58]: “There is a disservice to women in a lot of people's eyes that men transitioning to women get to compete in women's sports.”

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to stay engaged, tune into the upcoming premieres, and participate in discussions via social media platforms.

Conclusion: This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a comprehensive exploration of pressing political and social issues, interwoven with sports analysis and celebrity interviews. Stephen A. Smith provides his unfiltered perspectives on the immigration battle between Donald Trump and California, the contentious debate over transgender athletes in sports, and the potential political trajectory of Kamala Harris. Through engaging discussions, notable guest contributions, and listener interactions, the show delivers an informative and thought-provoking experience for its audience.