Summary of "The Stephen A. Smith Show" Episode: Full Show Interview on "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
• Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Full Show Interview: Stephen A breaks down controversial book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
• Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In this special edition of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith ventures beyond his usual sports-centric discussions to delve into the politically charged revelations presented in Original Sin, a controversial book authored by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. The book scrutinizes President Joe Biden's cognitive health and alleges a deliberate cover-up within the Democratic Party to conceal these issues. This episode aims to unpack the book's key findings, the authors' investigative journey, and the broader implications for American politics and media.

Discussion of the Book "Original Sin"

Stephen A. Smith introduces the episode by highlighting the significance of Original Sin, emphasizing its best-selling status and the widespread discourse it has generated beyond traditional media circles. He states:

"It seems to be necessary intel for all of us to find out. Is it? Does the book really tell us something we don't know? Or does the book just highlight what we all knew?" (01:24)

The book alleges that President Biden exhibited signs of cognitive decline years before his reelection campaign, with a concerted effort by his inner circle to mask these lapses from the public and media.

Authors' Investigative Journey

Stephen A. Smith welcomes the co-authors, Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, to discuss their motivations and experiences while researching the book.

Jake Tapper explains the impetus behind the book:

"We started writing the book on November 6th, the day after the presidential election, because in some ways, this book is answering the question of how Trump was able to come back and what the Democratic Party did to allow it to." (16:34)

He elaborates on the depth of their investigation, mentioning interviews with over 200 Democratic insiders and revealing that Biden's cognitive issues were more severe behind the scenes than publicly acknowledged.

Alex Thompson adds:

"The vast majority over at least over 150, I felt, were much more candid than they were before or they were finally felt free to talk without fear of retribution." (52:11)

The authors share that their research uncovered a systematic effort to limit Biden's public engagements and control his narrative, raising concerns about the integrity of democratic processes within the party.

Media's Role and Responsibility

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the media's failure to adequately report on Biden's cognitive health issues in real-time, leading to a delayed public awareness that only surfaced through Original Sin.

Jake Tapper addresses criticisms of the media:

"The only agenda was to find out what happened. Our only agenda was to write this book." (36:22)

He acknowledges the shortcomings but emphasizes their commitment to uncovering the truth despite facing backlash from both political spectrums.

Alex Thompson reflects on media accountability:

"Reporters too often are defensive to criticism and blame the lack of trust on attacks from conservatives and liberals. That's part of it, from disinformation. But I often felt that there was not enough self-reflection." (59:27)

This introspection highlights a broader issue within the media landscape regarding bias, accountability, and the pursuit of unbiased reporting.

Implications for the Democratic Party

The authors discuss how Biden's alleged cognitive decline and the party's attempts to conceal it have adversely affected the Democratic Party's credibility and electoral prospects.

Jake Tapper states:

"We see this as a developing story. This is the first draft and an ongoing story... the Democratic Party just went through this tumultuous four years and ended up, you know, more unpopular than they have been in decades." (52:04)

He argues that the party's failure to address internal issues transparently has led to diminished trust among voters, hindering their ability to win future elections.

Alex Thompson concurs, adding:

"Democrat after Democrat saying, he's as sharp as ever. He's in command... that's not just about Joe Biden and his aides. It's a systemic issue." (44:25)

The conversation underscores the necessity for the Democratic Party to engage in self-examination and reform to regain public trust.

Impact on Media Credibility and Future Prospects

The episode delves into the repercussions of the book's revelations on the perception of mainstream media and the potential long-term effects on journalistic integrity.

Jake Tapper acknowledges the erosion of trust:

"All I can do is that, and I understand that there are people who are just never going to believe it." (62:09)

He discusses the challenges faced by legacy media in adapting to changing consumption habits and addressing inherent biases to rebuild credibility.

Alex Thompson reflects on personal accountability:

"We didn't get somebody that said we should never have done this. You don't even want to take them seriously because they're acting juvenile." (18:35)

This highlights the personal and professional toll on journalists striving to uncover and report critical truths.

Stephen A. Smith's Final Thoughts

In the concluding segments, Stephen A. Smith offers his analysis of the interview and the broader implications of Original Sin. He emphasizes the importance of journalistic integrity and the need for both media and political parties to operate transparently.

"Do your damn job. That applies to me, that applies to Jake Tapper, that applies to Alex Thompson, that applies to everybody in the media." (73:12)

He advocates for an informed and skeptical electorate, suggesting that accountability on all fronts can steer the nation towards a more robust democratic framework.

Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show provides a comprehensive exploration of Original Sin, dissecting its revelations about President Biden and the Democratic Party. Through incisive dialogue with the authors, the show tackles pressing issues of media responsibility, political accountability, and the future of American democracy. The conversation underscores the necessity for transparency and integrity within both media institutions and political entities to restore public trust and ensure the health of democratic processes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Stephen A. Smith (01:24):

   "Is it? Does the book really tell us something we don't know? Or does the book just highlight what we all knew?"

2. Jake Tapper (16:34):

   "We started writing the book on November 6th, the day after the presidential election... to find out what happened behind the scenes."

3. Alex Thompson (52:11):

   "The vast majority over at least over 150, I felt, were much more candid... without fear of retribution."

4. Jake Tapper (36:22):

   "The only agenda was to find out what happened. Our only agenda was to write this book."

5. Jake Tapper (62:09):

   "All I can do is that, and I understand that there are people who are just never going to believe it."

6. Stephen A. Smith (73:12):

   "Do your damn job. That applies to me, that applies to Jake Tapper, that applies to Alex Thompson, that applies to everybody in the media."

This detailed summary encapsulates the pivotal moments and key discussions from the episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered and the insights shared by Stephen A. Smith, Jake Tapper, and Alex Thompson.