The Stephen A. Smith Show
Episode: Is Stephen A. about to become a Republican? – Hear me out! I'm not down with the Drones - But UFOs can exist.
Release Date: December 17, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a range of pressing topics, from tragic events in Wisconsin to intense political discourse and even touches on the mysterious sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). As always, Stephen provides his unfiltered opinions, drawing from personal experiences and extensive knowledge across various societal arenas.

1. Tragic School Shooting in Madison, Wisconsin

Timestamp: [01:14] - [10:31]

Stephen opens the show with a somber tone, addressing the heartbreaking news of a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. He reflects on the emotional impact of such tragedies, comparing them to the Sandy Hook incident.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “When you heard the descriptions of how the shooter would go one by one and would shoot a six or seven-year-old right in front of others their age... it can't get more heinous than that.” [03:30]

He emphasizes the politicization of such events, arguing that the focus often shifts from the lost lives to debates over gun control and Second Amendment rights.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “Rights are important, but not at the expense of the lives of human beings, particularly the youngest amongst us who haven't even had an opportunity to really, really live their lives as of yet.” [09:45]

Stephen grapples with his position as a registered independent, expressing frustration over the ongoing debate between gun control advocates and Second Amendment supporters.

2. Politics and Social Media: Clarifying His Stance

Timestamp: [17:04] - [33:25]

Stephen transitions into a heated discussion about his political stance, addressing accusations from his audience about aligning with right-wing ideologies simply because of his critiques of the Democratic Party.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “I'm a registered independent because I don't trust either side. I think both sides are full of it on so many levels... it's nauseating.” [17:47]

He elaborates on his voting decision in the recent election, explaining his choice to support Kamala Harris over Donald Trump not out of support for the latter, but to prevent further division in the country.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “What I was thinking was, the last thing we needed was four more years of what we saw the last time... I was fearful of civil war in this country.” [18:19]

Stephen critically analyzes the Democratic Party's strategies, expressing disappointment over their handling of internal matters and leadership decisions.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “They keep walking around on your moral high horse, acting like you're above reproach.” [32:22]

He concludes this segment by reaffirming his independent status, highlighting the conservative issues he supports while also advocating for social welfare and minority rights.

3. Jay Z's Legal Troubles and Personal Endorsements

Timestamp: [33:25] - [39:44]

The discussion shifts to the civil lawsuit filed against Jay Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs, accusing them of raping a 13-year-old in 2000. Stephen vehemently defends Jay Z, whom he has known for over 25 years, dismissing the allegations as inconsistent and unfounded.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “I've known the man for 25 years and I've never, ever, ever seen anything that would indicate that he would be guilty of such a thing.” [36:11]

He criticizes the reluctance of people to defend individuals based on long-standing personal relationships, expressing frustration over being labeled a "snitch" for standing by his friend.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “That's the punk ass world we live in now... You can't say that.” [40:02]

Stephen underscores the importance of personal integrity and loyalty, emphasizing that his defense of Jay Z stems from genuine trust and firsthand experience.

4. NFL MVP Race: Josh Allen Takes the Lead

Timestamp: [48:15] - [59:53]

Shifting gears to sports, Stephen passionately argues that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the frontrunner for the NFL MVP award. He highlights Allen's outstanding performance, including multiple touchdowns in recent games, and contrasts his achievements with those of Lamar Jackson.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “There's nothing to talk about here. Josh Allen is the MVP. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is the imminent NFL MVP.” [58:00]

Stephen dissects the statistical performance of Allen, praising his versatility and leadership, while critiquing Lamar Jackson's contributions relative to his team's overall performance.

5. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Drone Sightings

Timestamp: [59:53] - [66:27]

In one of the more unconventional segments, Stephen addresses recent reports of drone and UFO sightings over New York and New Jersey. He expresses skepticism and concern, pondering the possibility of extraterrestrial beings or government surveillance.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “I absolutely believe that other beings exist on this planet. When I see drones in the sky... You might think they’re something else.” [66:05]

He draws parallels to popular culture references like Independence Day and They Live, suggesting that these sightings could signify more profound and potentially threatening phenomena.

• Stephen A. Smith:
  “I'm not foolish enough to believe that the only beings on this Earth are human beings... That kind of stuff, I believe.” [65:56]

Stephen advocates for proactive measures, proposing that government authorities should address and investigate these occurrences diligently.

6. Addressing Audience Tweets and Light-Hearted Interactions

Timestamp: [66:27] - [70:59]

Towards the end of the episode, Stephen engages with audience tweets, responding humorously to unconventional questions about personal habits and historical figures. This segment showcases his charismatic and often playful side, balancing the intense discussions with moments of levity.

• Tweet Example:
  E Girls asks: "Which city in the US has the best-looking women and why is it Miami?"
  Stephen A. Smith responds: “Miami is special... That's why I don't hang out in Miami. That's why I'm hanging out.” [66:45 - 68:01]

Another tweet prompts Stephen to discuss his preference in hypothetical fight scenarios, further illustrating his ability to entertain while engaging with his audience.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive episode, Stephen A. Smith navigates through deeply emotional topics, contentious political debates, high-stakes sports discussions, and even ventures into speculative territory with UFO sightings. His unwavering stance as an independent voice allows him to critique both political spectrums while maintaining personal integrity and loyalty. Whether addressing national tragedies, defending long-time friends, or predicting MVP outcomes, Stephen delivers his insights with the signature passion and candor that listeners have come to expect from The Stephen A. Smith Show.

Notable Quotes:

• On the Madison School Shooting:
  “Rights are important, but not at the expense of the lives of human beings, particularly the youngest amongst us...” [09:45]

• On Political Independence:
  “I'm a registered independent because I don't trust either side. I think both sides are full of it...” [17:47]

• Defending Jay Z:
  “I've known the man for 25 years and I've never, ever, ever seen anything that would indicate that he would be guilty of such a thing.” [36:11]

• On Josh Allen as MVP:
  “Josh Allen is the MVP. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is the imminent NFL MVP.” [58:00]

• On UFOs and Drones:
  “I'm not foolish enough to believe that the only beings on this Earth are human beings...” [65:56]

Note: This summary focuses solely on the content-rich sections of the transcript, omitting advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to provide a comprehensive overview of the episode's key discussions and insights.