Full Show: Musk is Mad! Another Book on Biden. Who is the Knicks's next coach? My Huge SiriusXM Deal Opportunity.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Release Date: June 4, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a range of topics spanning the NBA, high-profile legal cases, political discourse, and significant social issues. With his characteristic fervor and insightful commentary, Smith provides listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current events, interspersed with notable interviews and expert opinions.

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1. New York Knicks Coaching Shake-Up [02:18 - 07:59]

The episode kicks off with a major update from the NBA: the New York Knicks have fired Head Coach Tom Thibodeau following the team’s deepest playoff run in 25 years. Thibodeau, who led the Knicks to consecutive 50-win seasons—their first since 1995—now ranks fourth all-time in coaching victories for the franchise.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([02:19]): "The move came just a few days after the Knicks made their deepest playoff run in 25 years."

Smith transitions into discussing potential candidates to succeed Thibodeau, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of hiring Eme Udoka from the Houston Rockets due to Udoka's current contractual obligations.

Notable Quotes:

Jay Williams ([04:07]): "I think Eme Udoka is the choice. I think he epitomizes who the New York Knicks are as a franchise."

Stephen A. Smith ([05:00]): "But he ain't going nowhere if Tillman Fertitta has anything to say about it."

Smith and co-host TJ Holmes debate various coaching prospects, including Sam Cassell, Jay Wright, Rick Brunson, Mike Malone, and Mark Jackson, weighing their qualifications and potential fit for the Knicks’ roster centered around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([09:05]): "We need to consider coaches like Jay Wright and Rick Brunson who bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record."

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2. Elon Musk Criticizes White House Overspending [33:36 - 35:32]

The conversation shifts to Elon Musk’s recent public criticism of President Donald Trump’s administration, particularly targeting the proposed legislative agenda and its impact on the national deficit.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith ([34:07]): "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination."

Elon Musk ([34:39]): "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."

Smith provides an analysis of the proposed bill, highlighting its potential to exacerbate the national deficit and burden American citizens with unsustainable debt levels.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([34:22]): "Our national deficit is already at 37 trillion. This bill could push it to nearly 40 trillion."

He critiques both Republican and Democratic stances, emphasizing the bipartisan roots of the deficit problem and urging accountability from all political factions.

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3. Renaming of USNS Harvey Milk [42:00 - 46:45]

Smith addresses the recent decision by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the famed gay rights activist and Navy veteran. The move, scheduled to take effect later in the month, coincides with Pride Month, sparking discussions about LGBTQ+ recognition in military honors.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([43:15]): "I live and let live. The LGBTQ community has my support."

Smith expresses his support for the LGBTQ+ community while also respecting the administrative authority to make such changes, reflecting on the broader implications of political decisions on civil liberties.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([45:29]): "We have to accept the fact that some people are going to be racist, some people are going to be prejudiced."

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4. Corinne Jean Pierre’s New Book on the Biden White House [47:17 - 52:09]

The episode explores the controversy surrounding Corinne Jean Pierre’s decision to leave the Democratic Party and release her book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House. Jean Pierre, the former White House Press Secretary, criticizes the Biden administration and urges Americans to move beyond partisan lines.

Notable Quote:

Corinne Jean Pierre ([48:19]): "At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who... had to contend with what was to come next for our country."

Smith questions Jean Pierre's motives and consistency, particularly her continued praise of President Biden during her post-White House endeavors.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([49:37]): "What was she supposed to do as the White House press secretary? She's supposed to... tell the American people, 'He doesn't have it.'"

Smith invites Jean Pierre to discuss her perspectives on his show, emphasizing his commitment to addressing political instability and leadership challenges.

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5. NBA Finals Predictions [16:14 - 55:00]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the NBA Finals, with Smith offering his predictions and analysis. He forecasts the Oklahoma City Thunder to secure the championship in six games, praising their elite defense and standout players like Shay Gilgis Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith ([16:28]): "Shay Gilgis Alexander is Shea Butter and Indiana doesn't have a strong defense."

Stephen A. Smith ([46:45]): "I believe OKC is going to be too much for them. I'd be shocked if they won this series."

Smith critiques the Indiana Pacers' chances against the Thunder, citing coaching strategies and player performances as critical factors influencing the outcome.

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6. Legal Troubles of Sean “Diddy” Combs [27:51 - 32:46]

The show covers the ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Smith discusses recent testimonies, including those of a forensic video expert and a former security officer, highlighting the gravity of the charges and the potential consequences Combs faces.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith ([27:54]): "Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges that include racketeering, conspiracy, and sex trafficking."

Smith emphasizes the prosecution's strengthened case with evidence such as unaltered assault videos and financial dealings purportedly aimed at covering misconduct.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([30:22]): "The prosecution is making their case stronger and stronger every day."

He remains impartial, clarifying that his role is to inform rather than to judge, and acknowledges the ongoing nature of the trial.

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Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating his predictions for the NBA Finals and expressing anticipation for live coverage from Oklahoma City. He invites listeners to stay tuned for future episodes, promising continued in-depth discussions on sports, politics, and societal issues.

Notable Closing Quote:

Stephen A. Smith ([55:00]): "That's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith show. Next time you see me on it will be live from Oklahoma City. Until then, peace and love, everybody. I gotta go."

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Notable Promotions and Advertisements

Throughout the episode, Smith includes promotions for Hell and Gone Murder Line by Katherine Townsend and Absolute Podcast’s series on Taser Incorporated, as well as advertising for Prize Picks, a sports betting app. These segments are seamlessly integrated, providing listeners with resources and opportunities to engage further with content related to true crime and sports betting.

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Key Takeaways

• New York Knicks: Significant coaching changes with potential high-profile candidates being considered.
• Elon Musk vs. Trump: Tensions arise over fiscal policies and national deficit concerns.
• USNS Harvey Milk: Controversy over renaming a ship honoring a gay rights activist, sparking debates on LGBTQ+ recognition.
• Corinne Jean Pierre: Former White House Press Secretary's critique of the Biden administration and call for political independence.
• NBA Finals: Predicted triumph of the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Indiana Pacers, highlighting key player performances.
• Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial: Ongoing legal challenges with significant implications based on emerging evidence.

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This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a rich tapestry of discussions, blending sports analysis with critical examinations of political and social issues. Smith's engaging style and thorough exploration of topics ensure that listeners are both informed and entertained.

Transcript

[Katherine Townsend]

This is an I Heart Podcast. Over the years of making my true crime podcast Hell and Gone, I've learned no town is too small for murder. I'm Katherine Townsend. I've heard from hundreds of people across the country with an unsolved murder in their community.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

I was calling about the murder of my husband.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The murder is still out there.

[Katherine Townsend]

Each week I investigate a new case. If there is a case we should Hear about, call 678-744-6145. Listen to Helen Gone Murderline on the iHeartRadio Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Amy Robach and TJ Holmes. Here, Diddy's former protege, television personality Danity Kang alum Aubrey o' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. It wasn't all bad, but I don't.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Know that any of the good was real.

[Amy Robach]

I went through things there. Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Coming at you, as I love to do at the very least three times a week over the digital airwaves of YouTube and of course, iHeartRadio. As always, I'd like to pause for just a moment to give thanks and pay gratitude to my listeners, my followers, my subscribers. Because without you, there would be no me. Not in this business, I can tell you that much. The millions of downloads we received over the last few months, courtesy of iheartradio. Can't thank them enough.

[TJ Holmes]

Can't thank you all enough.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And of course, our YouTube subscribers have now eclipsed over 1.23 million subscribers and counting. The love and support is greatly, greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much to continue to like and follow the show. Click the bell to get notified for all of our newest content and you too shall consider yourself the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family. And while you're doing that, make sure to pick up a copy of my New York Times bestselling book, Straight Shooter, a memoir of second chances and first takes, now in paperback. Just go to Straight Shoot a book dot com. Get yourself a copy. Once again, that Straight shooter book dot com to get yourself a copy. Let's get started in the NBA. And a story that made headlines throughout the league yesterday, the firing of Tom.

[TJ Holmes]

Thibodeau by the New York Knicks.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The move came just a few days after the Knicks made Their deepest playoff run in 25 years. Tibbs, who led the Knicks the back to back 50 win seasons for the first time since 1995, leaves ranking fourth all time on a franchise list in coaching victories. Now the focus shifts to potential head coaching replacements to lead the team currently built around Jalen Brunson and Carl Anthony Towns. Let me say this before I get into it, I want to tell you this. There are bunch of names that need to come up in a few seconds. I'm going to give you about five of them. I'm going to give you about five.

[TJ Holmes]

Of them because you need to know.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You need to know, you need to hear the people that's on my list. All right? And I got some honorable mentions as well. And I'll explain why because I'm going all down the line, all right. I'm going all down the line just to tip off my producers, Sam Cassell, Ime Udoka. I mean you can talk about coaches under contract, mind you, okay? The Ty lose of the world and the Mike Malone's and everybody else, Rick Brunson's, even all of them. I'm coming with a second. But let me say before I even get into it, let me play a clip for you that was very, very interesting during my day job on First Take number one morning show for the.

[TJ Holmes]

Last 13 years and counting. Thanks to y' all. By the way, thank you so much continuing to support your brother.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I was on a first take this morning on ESPN with my man Jay Williams and I can't take credit for this. I gotta give him credit for this because my man Jay Williams came up with an idea that absolutely, positively blew me away. Cause I didn't think about it. Why would not think about it? I don't know why. I think I know why. But I'm tell you in a minute. But not before I play this clip with me and Jay Williams talking. Check this out.

[Jay Williams]

You can't win in 2025 playing 1990s basketball. Yeah, you have to change up your style. And I do think there is a coach out there that is currently coaching the Houston Rockets that will be the most amazing fit in New York City. And that's Eme Udoka, a guy that understands Boston Celtics and how they built with Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge and what their personnel looks like, has an understanding of that and has a similar but updated culture in Houston with some young dogs where he's built a pretty incredible foundation over a quick period of time and understanding how the Western Conference is loaded. And look the Knicks have money to spend. I think Eme Udoka is the choice. I think he's the person you run towards. And I think you find any way to pry him away from the Houston Rockets organization and bring him to the New York Knicks. Because I think he epitomizes who the New York Knicks are as a franchise.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now, what you didn't see there was me go, I didn't think of that. It's a great idea.

[TJ Holmes]

But here's why I didn't think about that. I know a few people in Houston, including owner Tillman Fertitta, and I'm telling y' all, ain't no way in hell New York Knicks getting email Udoka.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Forget H Town being H Town. Cause it's pretty fly. Forget it being in the state with no state income taxes. That's cool too. IME Udoka is under contract for the next two years. He can't leave unless Tillman Fatida granted him the freedom to do so.

[TJ Holmes]

And I'm here to tell you that shit ain't happening. Ain't happening.

[Stephen A. Smith]

IME Udoka ain't going nowhere if Tillman.

[TJ Holmes]

Fertitta has anything to say about it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He loves that man. His staff loves that man. His employees love that man. Eme Udoka. This ain't Boston where you sat there and railroaded him out of town. And I ain't gonna bring up why. All I'm gonna say is that, damn it, he wasn't the first and he ain't the last. But somehow his personal business, which could have been an HR issue, became public consumption. I ain't gonna get in the fact there's a whole bunch of white boys that were guilty of such proclivities for decades. And we ain't hear nothing. I know at least three dudes that lost their job in the last couple of years, all white, and landed at another NBA team.

[TJ Holmes]

Nobody said nothing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We knew we ain't reported. Cause the team didn't confirm. Because the team didn't want it out there like that. They let the people go on about their business. But he made Udoka. They threw under the bus and tried to ruin his career. And Tillman fatigue in the Houston Rockets said, damn that we trying to win. It's one of the greatest coaches in the game. Easily top five coach of basketball. That brother's special. A hell of a coach who would have coached Boston to the championship. But that ended up being joy. Missoula that email Udoka. Oh my Lord. Everything I said about the Knicks yesterday, that raked my damn nerves. Even their weak ass Statement by President Leon Rose. I would have forgave that if they came and said, yo, man, email you do.

[TJ Holmes]

Because the new head coach of the New York Knicks, all would have been forgiven.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All would have been forgiven. Cause that man, not Leon Rose, IME Udoka is a hell of a coach. And that brother right there, if they could get him, fine. But he's got two years left on this deal in Houston. And I called the source within the organization five minutes ago, and they said.

[TJ Holmes]

You couldn't pay us enough. He ain't going nowhere. I know it's a double negative. He ain't going nowhere.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But he ain't going nowhere. Grammatically incorrect and all. He ain't going nowhere. He made Udoka stand in Houston.

[TJ Holmes]

But let me give you list of names you might want to consider.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I want to throw out Sam Cassell, assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, because he should be a head coach in this game, and he deserves an honorable mention.

[TJ Holmes]

It just may not necessarily need to be in New York because, you know, you was in Boston last year. You don't want to contaminate us. You know what I'm saying? You know, he's Boston, it's New York. I don't know about that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But Sam Cassell deserves to be head.

[TJ Holmes]

Coach of the NBA, so we gotta throw his name for consideration.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, I'mma throw out these names for you. You ready? I'm gonna throw out Jay Wright, former head coach at Villanova, two time national champion, four trips to the Final Four. You gonna say why Jalen Brunson is the star of the team. Josh Hart and Mikhail Bridges are on the team for the foreseeable future, they ain't going nowhere. And on top of it all, not only are they not going anywhere, even though Mikhail Bridges might end up being.

[TJ Holmes]

Moved because he'll be looking for a.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Contract extension in the year, the bottom line is all three play the Villanova. Jay Wright is a consideration. I'm gonna throw out another name for you. Rick Brunson. Jalen Brunson's daddy.

[TJ Holmes]

Who'S been on the bench last couple years, last two, three years, who, I can tell you, knows his basketball.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You start Temple, played in the NBA. Rough and rugged.

[TJ Holmes]

No punk in him at all.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You gonna be tough playing for him. You gonna be accountable playing for him. I like Rick Brunson. I think he's somebody that we should keep our eyes on for future opportunities in the NBA. Personally, I'm letting you know that right now, I'm just throwing him on my list. Number three on the list. Mike Malone, former coach in Denver, won an NBA championship a couple of years ago. Just worked with me during the Western Conference finals. I would have no problem if the.

[TJ Holmes]

New York Knicks picked him as the.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Next head coach of the franchise. No problem whatsoever. I know he departed under tense terms because players kind of needed to hear a new voice. He was big on player accountability. He didn't have the greatest relationship reportedly anyway, with the gm, Calvin Booth. And so both of them ended up getting booted out of there by the.

[TJ Holmes]

Gronkies who own the team.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But Mike Malone is a champion and a damn. A damn great basketball mind who has proven he can coach. We ain't sleeping on that. So he would definitely be on my list.

[TJ Holmes]

Wouldn't put him top two, though. I put Mark Jackson at number two. Remember the Mark Jackson used to coach Golden State?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Remember Mark Jackson that started St. John's remember the mark Jackson that was rookie of the Year in the NBA for the New York Knicks? Remember the Mark Jackson that played for the Indiana Pacers? Remember that Mark Jackson that ultimately coached the Golden State warriors and groomed the split Flash brothers for Steve Kerr to capitalize off of. Remember that? That Mark Jackson? Can somebody explain to me why this man is still blackball from the NBA, not even an assistant coach? As good of a job as he has done, as knowledgeable as he is about the game of basketball. Me personally, him, Van Gundy, I slashed them together. I'd love them being on the same coaching staff because I missed them calling the games. Love the job JJ Redick did calling games. Love the job that Richard Jefferson with Doris Burke and Mike Breen do. Calling the games. Love the job that Tim Legler does. Love my man Ryan Ruko, the whole bit. No shade on nobody. I'm proud to call these folks colleagues. They're great. But I'm not gonna lie and tell you that I don't miss Mark Jackson.

[TJ Holmes]

And Jeff Van Gundy, who, by the way, Jeff and Gundy's the lead assistant on the Los Angeles Clippers benchmark.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I think if Mark Jackson were to get a head coaching job, Jeff Van.

[TJ Holmes]

Gundy should be his top assistant.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I think if Jeff Van Gundy gets a head coaching job, Mark Jackson should.

[TJ Holmes]

Be a stop assistant.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's how I'm flowing with it. That's how I'm flowing with it. And not only that, when you consider.

[TJ Holmes]

New York and the sizzle that you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Need, since players, since people like Leon Rose don't want to talk to the media, you know, it helps to see.

[TJ Holmes]

A guy Like Mark Jackson talking because he's one of our own in New York. You understand?

[Stephen A. Smith]

We Love Bishop Lachlan, St. John's next is Mark Jackson, one of the greatest point guards in New York history, by the way. And you talking to a brother that grew up, the great Kenny Anson. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't better than these dudes, but he was in that ballpark because he was sensational. Ross Strickland just saw him the other day at the. At the Knicks game. Stephon Marbury might be the greatest point guard in the history of New York. Let's not sleep on that, brother, okay? You got the Nate Tiny Archibalds, the Stephon Marbury's, the Rod Stricklands, the late, great Dwayne Pearl, Washington. The greatest show in the history of college basketball. You think I'm lying? Go back and watch the tape. Go back and watch the tape. Dwayne Pearl, Washington. It went to Syracuse. We had some great point guards. Kenny the Jet Smith. Let's not forget him. Kareem reed, out of St. Raymond's let's not forget him. God. Sham, God Wells. One of the greatest ha scandals in history. Let's not forget him. With all of that being said, still.

[TJ Holmes]

Got to mention Mark Jackson. Still got to mention Mark Jackson. He's one of us in New York City. With him as the head coach, worth consideration.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Just can't put him number one at.

[TJ Holmes]

The list against another dude who's under contract.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And I put IME U doke in the same category. Slash him number one with the great.

[TJ Holmes]

Ty Lu for the Los Angeles Clippers.

[Stephen A. Smith]

A champion.

[TJ Holmes]

Some man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Somebody who continuously overachieves who makes in game adjustments. Who, if James Harden was short for game seven, who knows how far he would have want he would have gone. I'm just sorry. I love James Harden, but damn. I'm just saying these are things to consider. So I got Tylose, Slash Eme Udoka, both under contract.

[TJ Holmes]

Teams ain't letting them out their deals. We understand that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I got Mark Jackson, who everybody should.

[TJ Holmes]

Have on their list to be a head coach in the NBA.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I got Mike Malone, who everybody should have on their list to be a coach in the NBA.

[TJ Holmes]

He's a champion.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, I got Rick Brunson and I got Jay Wright with an honorable mention for my man Sam Cassell in Boston, who deserves a head coaching opportunity at some point, if not already. That's just me.

[TJ Holmes]

That's just me. A producer in my ear brought up Danny Hurley. Really? Really. You know he's at Connecticut. Yeah. UConn. You know what I'm saying? I mean, you know, he can coach Danny Hurley. I mean, I'm not. I'm not gonna poo poo that. The Hurleys are the Hurley's. They're an institution. So we know. We.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I was getting ready to get on.

[TJ Holmes]

My producer about that, but he's actually right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And since he's right, I'm gonna leave it at that. I got something else to talk to you about in a second, but not.

[TJ Holmes]

Before I get to this note with you from Prize Picks. Check it out.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right, folks, I need you all to stop what you're doing and listen up. You know I love this time of year, right? The NBA playoffs are in full effect and with all this action jumping off, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to.

[TJ Holmes]

Make sure you take advantage of it all.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's why we partnered with Prize Picks. The best place to win cash while watching sports. The app is easy to use. You know, just pick more or less on a few player stats and you can win up to 2000 times your cash on a single lineup. Best of all, Prize Picks will give you $50. When you play your first $5 lineup, win or lose, you'll get 50 bucks. Use promo code SAS and download the app now. Again, download the app and use code SAS to get $50 instantly after your first $5 lineup. Prospects. Hey, hey.

[TJ Holmes]

Run your game.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Indiana Paces in game one.

[TJ Holmes]

Of the NBA Finals tomorrow night.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So today I'll give you my picks for the game. First up, will Shea Gilgis Alexander score more or less than 33 and a half points?

[TJ Holmes]

We're going with more. Is Shea good? Gilgis Alexander is Shea Butter and Indiana doesn't have a strong defense. Okay, please.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Easy call next to a Tyrese Halliburton score. Scored more, less than 17 and a half points. I'm going with less on this one.

[TJ Holmes]

He hasn't faced his defense. Usually it's a shock to the system going up against OKC's defense. I think that's going to happen with Tyrese Halliburton in this game.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Next up, will Jalen Williams score more or less than 22 1/2 points? One of only two players in the NBA, him and Evan Mobley, who were.

[TJ Holmes]

Both all NBA players and all NBA defensive team players. I'm going with more on this one.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And finally, well, Pascal Siakam scored more or less than 19 and a half points.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm going with less for the same reasons I went with Tyrese Halliburton scoring less against this defense. So again, that's more for Shay Gilgis Alexander.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's less for Tyrese Halliburton. That's more for Jalen Williams. And that's less for Pascal Siakam. There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. It's Stephen A.

[TJ Holmes]

Your boy. I know what I'm talking about.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Go to Prize Picks app and check out the Stephen A. Smith show Community play.

[TJ Holmes]

By the way, it's boosted 25% over.

[Katherine Townsend]

The past six years of making my true crime podcast Hell and Gone, I've learned one thing. No town is too small for murder. I'm Katherine Townsend. I've received hundreds of messages from people across the country begging for help with unsolved murders.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

I was calling about the murder of my husband. It's a cold case. They've never found her. And it haunts me to this day.

[Katherine Townsend]

The murder is still out there. Every week on Hell and Gone Murder Line, I dig into a new case, bringing the skills I've learned as a journalist and private investigator to ask the questions no one else is asking.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

Police really didn't care to even try. She was still somebody's mother. She was still somebody's daughter. She was still somebody's sister. There's so many questions that we've never gotten any kind of answers for.

[Katherine Townsend]

If you have a case you'd like me to look into, call the Helen Gone murder line at 678-744-6145. Listen to Helen Gone Murderline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no.

[TJ Holmes]

Across the country, cops called this Taser the revolution.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

But not everyone was convinced it was that simple.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cops believed everything that Taser told them.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

From Lava for Good and the team that brought you Bone Valley comes a story about what happened when a multi billion dollar company dedicated itself to one visionary mission. This is Absolute Season one, Taser Incorporated.

[Katherine Townsend]

I get right back there and it's bad.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It's really, really, really bad.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

Listen to new episodes of Absolute Season 1, Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge episodes 1, 2 and 3 on May 21 and episodes 4, 5 and 6 on June 4 ad free at Lava for Good. Plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now on a quick note, I just want to get into some news about yours truly. Earlier today I announced a new multi.

[TJ Holmes]

Year deal with Sirius XM where I'll be overseeing two new shows.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The first will be a new daily sports talk show that will air on Mad Dog Sports radio weekdays from 1.

[TJ Holmes]

To 3pm Eastern Standard Time and re air from 6 to 8pm Eastern Standard Time.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The second show will be weekly and.

[TJ Holmes]

Will focus on current events, pop culture, politics, social commentary, the whole shebang.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The program will air on a non.

[TJ Holmes]

Sports SiriusXM channel, in all likelihood POTUS. Okay, so the POTUS channel on Sirius XM is in all likelihood will it will air but I'll have further details for you in the weeks to come.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The show on Mad Dog Sports radio.

[TJ Holmes]

Will debut September 2nd, the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day week. And been negotiating this for a while. At one point in time we've been talking about my own channel, but there's a lot that goes into that, that quite frankly with all the other things, all the other ventures I'm venturing into, I didn't really have time to really engage in that stuff. But I'm very honored and very grateful for Sirius XM and their, their interest in bringing me back on board. It was going to take a lot to do to bring me back on board and they came through it a lot so they, they made offers. Quite frankly, I simply couldn't refuse. And to be a part of Mad Dog Sports Radio. Listen, Mad Dog is my guy. I love him to death. And if I was going to do a sports show, that's the channel that honestly I would want it to be on. I had a blast when I was there several years ago. I had a ball and they treated me great. And those guys over there were absolutely phenomenal to me. I know the Adam Shines of the world. I know the jt, the bricks of the world. Steve Tory, who's, you know, one of the executives over there is an absolutely wonderful person and a great radio leader. So I'm looking forward to it. This YouTube channel, obviously there will be some content from the show on Sirius XM that will air on the YouTube channel as well. And so that this channel is not going away. This is a channel that I own and operate 100% and it will stay in place. But some of the content will be coming from Sirius XM obviously. And so because of that, that's what the situation is going to be. So I just want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for the support that you have given me. And just to make you aware that I'm hyped and ready to roll. I've worked at Sirius XM before. I know the people, I know who they are, I know what they stand for, I know what they are about and I know whatever resources that I need in order to be successful is something they will not hesitate to provide me. They've already put some stuff in play and I don't even start for another three months. So I'm incredibly thankful to them for the opportunity that they have bestowed upon me. I can't be thankful enough. And to lead in the Mad Dog Russo and his afternoon drive show is challenging in and of itself. But to have my show re air following his show, which essentially is making him my lead into the reader to his lead, he's the lead into my re air is also compelling as well. Naturally, you know how I roll. If I'm around and stuff happens between the 3 and 6 o' clock hour when I'm off, I'll come right back on the air at 6 o' clock to handle my business. That's just what I do. And so stay tuned. There's a lot coming down the pike. I'm not finished. I got espn. I have this. I'm not finished because my passion and my interest, what they are and a lot of things that I'm doing will surprise a lot of people. This is just one of this is the latest. But it's very, very important to me that I'm back in the mix doing radio. I love it. I'm gonna love talking to the listeners and going back and forth with folks. It's what energizes me and gets my juices flowing. That's the way I like it. So September 2nd Tuesday, September 2nd immediately following Labor Day weekend, the Stephen A. Smith show will debut on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time. It's a multi year deal, so I'll be there for multiple years, God willing. Thank you so much for the poor, for the support. I really, really appreciate it and I hope you'll stick with me here and I hope that you'll stick with me there wherever I go. I like y' all being with me because that emboldens me. It makes me feel great to know that I have y' all support. Thank you so much. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Coming up, days after leaving his post.

[TJ Holmes]

As the head of Doge, Elon Musk.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Fires shots at the White House overspending. I'll get into that straight ahead.

[TJ Holmes]

But first, Sean Diddy Combs allegedly made.

[Stephen A. Smith]

A one hundred thousand dollar cash payment.

[TJ Holmes]

To buy the hotel beating video of Cassie.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'll get into the latest on his.

[TJ Holmes]

Federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. All that coming up and then some next right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away.

[Stephen A. Smith]

All right everybody, listen up. With all the big time sports action that's happening each and every day, the Stephen A. Smith show wants to make.

[TJ Holmes]

Sure you are taking advantage of it all.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That's why we partnered with Prize Picks, the best place to win cash while watching sports. The app is really easy to use to make a lineup. All you have to do is pick more or less on a few player stats. Choose from any of your favorite players. Tyrese Halberd, Shay Gilgis Alexander, Pascal Siakam, all in the same entry. Just sit back and watch.

[TJ Holmes]

The list is really endless.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You can play prospects in over 440 states, including California and Texas. Best of all, pricks will give you $50 when you play your first $5 lineup. Win or lose, you'll get 50 bucks. So just use promo code SAS and download Prospects now. Again, download the app and use code SAS to get $50 instantly after your first $5 lineup. Prize picks. Hey, hey.

[TJ Holmes]

Run your game.

[Katherine Townsend]

Over the past six years of making my true crime podcast Hell and Gone, I've learned one thing. No town is too small for murder. I'm Katherine Townsend. I've received hundreds of messages from people across the country begging for help with unsolved murders.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

I was calling about the murder of my husband. It's a cold case. They've never found her, and it haunts.

[TJ Holmes]

Me to this day.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The murderer is still out there.

[Katherine Townsend]

Every week on Helen Gone Murder Line, I dig into a new case, bringing the skills I've learned as a journalist and private investigator to ask the questions no one else is asking.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

Police really didn't care to even try. She was still somebody's mother. She was still somebody's daughter. She was still somebody's sister. There's so many questions that we've never gotten any kind of answers for.

[Katherine Townsend]

If you have a case you'd like me to look into, call the Helen Gone murder line at 678-744-6145. Listen to Helen Gone Murderline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no.

[TJ Holmes]

Across the country, cops called this Taser the revolution.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

But not everyone was convinced it was that simple.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cops believed everything that Taser told them.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

From Lava For Good and the team that brought you Bone Valley comes a story about what happened when a multi billion dollar company dedicated itself to one visionary mission. This is Absolute Season one, Taser Incorporated.

[Katherine Townsend]

I get right back there and it's bad.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It's really, really, really bad.

[Narrator (Absolute Podcast)]

Listen to new episodes of Absolute Season 1, Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge episodes 1, 2 and 3 on May 21 and episodes 4, 5 and 6 on June 4 ad free at Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith Show. Now let's get to the latest on.

[TJ Holmes]

The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean Diddy Combs.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Earlier today, a forensic video expert testified that a 2016 video from the Intercontinental.

[TJ Holmes]

Hotel that showed Combs assaulting Cassi Ventura was not manually altered.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This follows testimony yesterday from Eddie Garcia.

[TJ Holmes]

A former security officer at the Intercontinental.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Garcia talked about how Combs allegedly tried to cover up the video, saying he accepted $100,000 from Combs in exchange for the footage. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges that include racketeering, conspiracy and sex trafficking. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to life imprisonment.

[TJ Holmes]

Once again, this is not a good.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Look, but I want to emphasize something here because I was, I remember I.

[TJ Holmes]

Was at the barbershop the other day arguing with one of, one of my barbers. Whenever I'm traveling, I've got barbers. You know, I run into barbers in several cities, so I might let them cut me. And where I was the other day, this guy Peter, one of the barbers, was, was, was, was talking to me and he was saying that, you know what?

[Stephen A. Smith]

It's not fair. It's not fair how everybody's covering the Diddy trial.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm like, stop.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stop the bitching.

[TJ Holmes]

Stop it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay? That's not what the issue is.

[TJ Holmes]

The issue is that the defense, that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The prosecution is making their case now, the defense could try to refute it. And then they're gonna have their opportunity.

[TJ Holmes]

To bring on their own witnesses and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To make their case against any of the witnesses who have testified against Diddy. So we have to understand that and understand that all of the things that are being presented and portrayed by and large is from a prosecution that is charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. And everything that they're doing is an attempt to make Their case stronger and stronger. Now, according to the Ryan Smiths, the Ellie Hoenigs of the world, and others who have been on this show, the prosecution is making their case stronger and stronger every day. When you show a violent video of him when he was beating on Cassie Vincent Torah, guess what? There's no way around that. When you show the tape of Sean Diddy Combs, you know, apologizing and coming across as very contrite, saying, quote, unquote, I was really up at the time, I was really messed up bad. These were his words, not anybody else's. You recognize he recognizes his level of guilt in terms of domestic violence. For those that would argue that's not sex trafficking, that's not racketeering, well, if they're making the case that these charges are, are evident because of intimidation that has been exercised, then that video suddenly becomes relevant. That his contrition towards about that video suddenly becomes relevant. When you look at the fact that he's paying off folks a hundred thousand dollars to destroy videos and things of that nature, well, that comes along with racketeering and sex trafficking. In the, in, in the prosecution's eyes, this is the case that they're making. And unless he can refute these things and can say that they didn't happen and throw holes into the argument of the prosecution, it doesn't look good. It doesn't look good. Now, having said all of that to get back to my man Peter. That's the prosecution story.

[TJ Holmes]

Eventually we will hear the defense. Will there be holes to poke in those arguments?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Will there be facts that are definitively refuted? Will we find ourselves in a situation.

[TJ Holmes]

Where fabrication is exposed against Sean Diddy Combs?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Will we hear that there was no.

[TJ Holmes]

Offer nor a payment of $100,000?

[Stephen A. Smith]

What will we hear? What will we see? Will we learn there were no drugs? Will we learn there were no sex workers? Will we learn that all of that oil was an accident or was somebody else's, not his? Will we hear that the Punisher was a lie? Will we hear refutable evidence that Cassie.

[TJ Holmes]

Ventura was never exposed to urination on or in her? What's the chances of that?

[Stephen A. Smith]

So there's a lot of evidence out.

[TJ Holmes]

There we don't know. I'm not here.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I have not tried to convict Diddy Combs in any way, shape, form or possible. I brought on people who are covering the trial. I've articulated what the specific charges are, how viable, how plausible, how palatable they are. That is what I have done. I don't know what's happened. I don't have any clue of his innocence or guilt. The only thing that I have condemned.

[TJ Holmes]

Him for was that video where he was beating living hell out of Cassie Ventura because ain't no getting around that he himself condemned his own actions.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So that is what it is and that's how we got to look at it. Let me move on to the next subject coming up. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants the.

[TJ Holmes]

Navy to change a ship's name dedicated to a former gay rights activist and veteran. I'll get into that ahead.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But first, days after leaving Doge, Elon Musk blasts President Trump overspending of all things. We've got that and more coming up. It's the Stephen A. Smith show.

[TJ Holmes]

Don't go away. Welcome back to STEPHEN A. Smith show. Now let's get to Washington and two headlines brewing out of D.C. actually, I got three, but it's definitely two at this particular moment in time.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We'll start with Tesla, CEO and former.

[TJ Holmes]

Head of Doge Department of Government Efficiency for those of you don't know who Mr. Elon Musk, who now has an.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Issue with President Donald Trump. According to ABC News, multiple people who.

[TJ Holmes]

Have spoken to the president and Musk.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Have described a widening rift on a.

[TJ Holmes]

Range of recent moves by the administration.

[Stephen A. Smith]

In addition to Musk, in addition to.

[TJ Holmes]

That, I'm sorry, Musk went on the offensive yesterday, blasting the president over the legislative agenda.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Here's what he posted on X last night.

[TJ Holmes]

Quote, I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This massive, outrageous, pork filled congressional spending.

[TJ Holmes]

Bill is a disgusting abomination.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Shame on those who voted for it.

[TJ Holmes]

You know you did wrong, end quote.

[Stephen A. Smith]

In another post, he wrote, quote, it will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt, end quote. And finally this morning, he posted this.

[TJ Holmes]

Quote, here it is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people, end quote.

[TJ Holmes]

The White House has yet to comment.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This is not a good look.

[TJ Holmes]

This is not a good look.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But how surprised should we be? You see, when you talk about the $2.5 trillion budget deficit, ladies and gentlemen, our national deficit is already at 37 trillion. So you're talking about this deficit approaching 40 trillion. You're talking about Trump and what he's proposing with his big beautiful bill reaching the likes of approximately 43 to 44 trillion dollars. We've already lost our credit rating, our stature, all right, the respect of the.

[TJ Holmes]

Financial sector of the world has dissipated for the United States of America.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We've got people on Capitol Hill that.

[TJ Holmes]

Are anxious, was so anxious to get into power.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And we talked about our national debt and how we have to curb spending. But what are we doing?

[TJ Holmes]

What are we doing?

[Stephen A. Smith]

We've got issues with Medicaid. We've got people who are scheduled to lose their health insurance. We're hearing about an economy that's getting better. We're hearing about inflation having dipped. We're hearing that our borders are under control. We're supposed to be a thriving economy, and we're moving in a forward direction. But every time we turn around, we hear about something else. Now, I'm not about to sit here and engage in condemnation because I don't know the particulars. When I think about the Big beautiful Bill, I'm thinking about it along the lines of there are things to like about it, there are things to complain about it. And as we look at it, we have to dissect it with a fine tooth, a fine tooth comb and recognize that, you know what? Everybody's gonna have their feelings. When I think about it from my notes that I took in terms of the Big Beautiful Bill Act, I just find myself saying, hey, what's going on? If you're the GOP, extension of 27 to 2017, tax cuts, new tax breaks, SALT deduction increases, state and local taxes.

[TJ Holmes]

That's what SALT stands for.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Deduction cap is raised from 10,000 to 40,000 for married couples earning up to $500,000. Addressing concerns from representatives in high tax states like New York and New Jersey. The GOP finds that to be a very good thing. Obviously, they claim this bill, the big beautiful bill, is definitely something that supports small businesses provisions such as the reinstatement of immediate R and D expensing and increased pass through deductions, aim to bolster small businesses and domestic manufacturing.

[TJ Holmes]

To me, that's lip service.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That part is lip service.

[TJ Holmes]

Because I need to hear the numbers.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I need to hear the numbers. And until I hear the numbers, I'm.

[TJ Holmes]

Not gonna feel that way about it. Okay?

[Stephen A. Smith]

So that's something to think about right there. And we gotta look at it from that standpoint. What do the Democrats say about the bill? They've been complaining about it. You know they have. You know they have. What does a House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says, quote, we believe it's one big ugly bill that's going to hurt the American people, hurt children, hurt families.

[TJ Holmes]

Hur hurt seniors, cut health care, cut.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Nutritional assistance, explode the debt. That's what Akeem Jeffrey says he's been a guest on his show and is always welcomed back. Then there's Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He writes, quote, this is not one big beautiful bill.

[TJ Holmes]

It's ugly.

[Stephen A. Smith]

There's nothing beautiful about stripping away people's.

[TJ Holmes]

Health care, forcing kids to go hungry.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Denying communities the resources they need, and increasing poverty, end quote. What is the, what are the Democrats problems with this bill? They're talking about health care cuts. The bill imposes work requirements for Medicaid recipients and reduces federal Medicaid payments to states, potentially leading the millions losing coverage, according to the Democrats. Tax benefits for the wealthy. Democrats argue that the bill extends tax cuts primarily benefiting high income earners and corporations while offering minimal relief to working and middle class Americans. What else do the Democrats say?

[TJ Holmes]

It increases the deficit.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The Congressional Budget Office itself estimates that the bill could add 2.3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. Social program reductions. The legislation includes significant cuts to SNAP, I.e.

[TJ Holmes]

Food assistance, ladies and gentlemen, and other.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Safety net programs which Democrats believe will exacerbate poverty and hunger. Last but not least, restrictions on Reproductive and LGBTQ + Health Care. The bill prohibits Medicaid from covering gender affirming care and services provided by clinics that offer abortions. Aligning with conservative social issues. That last part.

[TJ Holmes]

I won't challenge. Here is the reason why. If you don't believe in abortion, if.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You are a pro lifer, why should.

[TJ Holmes]

Your tax dollars be spending for something that you inherently don't believe in, whether it be for religious purposes or anything else? Now that's different. If you were born a man.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Or.

[TJ Holmes]

Born a woman and you wanted to.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Transition, I believe you should have the freedom to do whatever you want. But should taxpayer dollars pay for it?

[TJ Holmes]

See, that's where it gets tricky and that's what we have to understand that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

For the most part I'm very concerned with what the Democrats are saying. Health care cuts. I'm very concerned about that, that tax benefits for the wealthy.

[TJ Holmes]

Not as much concerned about that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, the top 1% of the population spends about 60% of the taxes. So I, I, if they find a way to exploit whatever loopholes so they.

[TJ Holmes]

Can avoid being bled, I, I don't.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I don't have a problem with that. As long as you getting that 60% from them, okay, they shouldn't get away without paying taxes. But it's not like you should constantly be able to come to people and want more and more and more money because the more you want money from other People, the less of an obligation you're absorbing of mining your finances. These politicians on Capitol Hill, I'm sick and tired of them coming to us every two years, every four years, asking for more taxpayer dollars. What are you doing to manage budgets? What are you doing to curb spending? We can't have everything. We can't. We can't. And I'm not talking to Republicans, and I'm not talking to Democrats. I'm talking to all of their asses. You got a budget. You got a deficit over $37 trillion that's scheduled to explode and exceed over $40 trillion. Both. Both sides of the aisle played a pivotal role in that happening. It wasn't just Democrats in office, in the House, the Senate, and the White House. All of these years, we have members of both sides of the aisle in all of those houses. All of these years, all of yous did this. All of youse, you all did this. So I don't want to hear it. But I am concerned about the particulars. I am concerned about the specifics, and I think that that needs to be broached. I'll leave it at that for now, because this is a subject that's not going away. So let me move on to the next subject, because, again, I gotta get out of here. I gotta get on outta here soon. We gotta get to this other story out of Washington involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Hegseth has ordered the Secretary of the Navy to rename the oilership USNS Harvey Milk. The ship, which launched in 2021, was named after the gay rights activist and Navy veteran who was forced to resign from the service because of his sexual orientation. A military official says the ship will be officially renamed later this month. No word on what the new ship's name will be. However, the timing is notable given that June is Pride Month. In addition to that, the USNS Harvey Milk is part of the John Lewis class of oiler ships that are named after civil rights Leaders of the ships in this class include the USNS Earl Warren, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, USNS Lucy Stone, and USNS Sojourner Truth, ladies and gentlemen. Do I like this?

[TJ Holmes]

No.

[Stephen A. Smith]

If I was president, if I was.

[TJ Holmes]

The Secretary of Defense, would I do it? No.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I live and let live LGBTQ community has my support. I don't have a problem.

[TJ Holmes]

With recognizing great individuals from their communities or anywhere else. Doesn't faze me. Doesn't bother me. They served our country with honor and distinction. I would not change it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I also respect the right of Pete.

[TJ Holmes]

Hegseth to change it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He's the Secretary of Defense. He works under President Donald Trump, who was re elected as the 47th President of the United States, who campaigned on being against some of these things because of how excessive the left was and going overboard with its behavior to highlight and elevate prominently the causes of a fringe segment of our population. In this case, the word fringe doesn't apply because I understand there's a lot of members out there, millions upon millions.

[TJ Holmes]

Of members of LGBTQ + community, and.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I would not change it. I support their rights, their civil liberties. I don't think they should be harassed. I don't think they should be bothered. I think they should be free to live their lives. But as a black man, ladies and gentlemen, we come out of the womb not being liked. We come out of the womb having an uphill battle and an uphill climb because of resistance to acceptance of who we are. And that's just based off the color of our skin. Now, who you are is who you are. And folks debate back and forth, are you born this way, you're not born this way. I ain't getting into all of that. What I'm saying is, in a lot of situations, most people wouldn't know until you tell us or show us, black folks don't have that luxury. We have to deal with those challenges every single day. So being liked and being embraced, while it would be ideal and beautiful and it would bring peace and dissipate stress in our life, in our souls and our minds.

[TJ Holmes]

The bottom line is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We have to accept the fact that some people are.

[TJ Holmes]

Going to be racist, some people are.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Going to be prejudiced, some people just.

[TJ Holmes]

Ain'T going to like us.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Some people ain't going to have any problem with us, but don't necessarily want to vibe with. And then some people are going to like us, and some people are going to embrace us more than others, and some people are going to love us.

[TJ Holmes]

It all comes with all comes with it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The relevancy of that comment by me, that soliloquy, that diatribe, whatever word you want to use by me, is simply pointing out that if an administration gets elected and they're against some of those things because they believe that the progressive left went overboard in trying to highlight and big up a certain community of this population, and they are against that. Once they're in position of power, they get to do what they choose. Just like the left name the USNS Harvey Milk. If somebody else wants to rename it, it's their administration that's what they could do. We might not like it, but it ain't a crime. That's not how they flow. You don't like it, make sure they.

[TJ Holmes]

Don'T get elected next time.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Make sure your causes on the fringes don't usurp the vast majority of Americans interests so they'll vote the way you want them to vote so you could get some of the things you want. That's how works. That's how it works in a democracy. You don't like it, get over it. That's the way it is. That's the way it is. Now, before I get on out of.

[TJ Holmes]

Here, there is a story that I couldn't wait to tackle because I'm not.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Gonna lie to you, I was kind.

[TJ Holmes]

Of disgusted when I saw it. Corinne Jean Pierre switches her affiliation to independent, releasing a new book about a broken Biden White House.

[Stephen A. Smith]

She is the former White House press secretary. If you will recall, ladies and gentlemen.

[TJ Holmes]

She has consistently or she had consistently.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Consistently decried the notion that President Biden was not up to the rigors of the job. Longtime Democratic party operative suddenly is urging Americans to step outside harsh party lines.

[TJ Holmes]

In her new book Independent A Look.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Inside a broken White House outside the.

[TJ Holmes]

Party lines, according to the book's description.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The description also says the former Biden press secretary didn't come to the decision about leaving the party lightly, quote, until January 20th. I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the president of the United States.

[TJ Holmes]

She said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

[Stephen A. Smith]

At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was.

[TJ Holmes]

To come next for our country.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise.

[TJ Holmes]

The ability to think creatively and plan strategically. Hold on, hold on. Not so fast.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And I'm fully aware that she was also a source for Jake Tapper in.

[TJ Holmes]

His book Original Sin with Alex Thompson. Remember, I interviewed him last week. Hold on for a second. Corinne Jean Pierre, you're absolutely right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Nothing that you said as the White.

[TJ Holmes]

House press secretary should be held against you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Just like I came on here and said, or I came on other shows like the Hannity's of the World and others. And I said, what the hell was Kamala Harris supposed to do when she was the VP Don Biden out.

[TJ Holmes]

She wasn't gonna tell on her boss.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Stop it. It. What the hell was she supposed to do? Just like I said that I would say the Same thing about Corinne Jean Pierre. What was she supposed to do as the White House press secretary? She's supposed to sit up there and come out and tell the American people, yo, y' all, he don't have it.

[TJ Holmes]

He can't go. He just don't have it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

What was she supposed to do? That's ridiculous.

[TJ Holmes]

However, Corinne Jean Pierre, you are not.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The White House press secretary.

[TJ Holmes]

When you showed up on ABC's the View a couple of months ago, you.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Were talking major stuff then. You were not the White House press secretary. You were an American citizen who was not working in the White House. What the hell you going to show for then? Bloviating about Joe Biden and how he was alert and he was spry and he was a great commander in chief and he was sharp. And all of this stuff, I don't have it clipped in front of me because I just saw the story. You're lucky I don't have time to pull it up. But I'm fully aware of the fact that you are not the White House.

[TJ Holmes]

Press secretary when you were on the View spewing the same stuff you had spewed when you were the White House press secretary. So all bets are off. You didn't have to do that, but you chose to live with your decisions. Live with your decisions. You didn't have to do that, but.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That'S what you chose to do. You chose to go front center and still spew the same party line. So what the book's gonna tell us? The book's gonna tell us more about the Democrats. The butcher. The book. Is the book gonna be an extension of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book Original Sin? Yet another Democrat coming out and telling us about stuff that a whole bunch of stuff on the right was telling us but y' all swore we shouldn't listen to while y' all were engaging in Cancel Culture, while y' all were and excoriating anybody that caught the Democratic Party out for what the hell was going on? That's what we supposed to do now. That's what we supposed to do. We supposed to listen to you now?

[TJ Holmes]

Okay, I'll do that. Corinne Jean Pierre, you are more than welcome to come on a Stephen A. Smith show and explain your book and what it's gonna say.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But not only.

[TJ Holmes]

Why we didn't hear from you while you were the White House press secretary, which is very understandable. But how come we didn't hear that from you afterwards? Why were we hearing the same stuff after you left the White House that you were saying while you were in the White House. Can't wait for an answer to that question. I got several others too, if you're so willing to come on. More than happy to have you. I'm a respectful man, was raised by five beautiful, strong black women. You are obviously a beautiful, strong black woman as well. But it doesn't mean I don't have questions. Just so you know, I gotta get on out of here to cover the NBA Finals. So I'll be leaving. I'll be on ABC covering the NBA Finals throughout the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City and then in Indianapolis. So y' all will see me soon enough. Okay. I got the Oklahoma City winning the NBA Finals in six games. I think their defense is too elite. I think Shay Gilgis Alexander is a superstar. I think him and Jalen Williams. Jalen Williams, remember his back court made him. Jalen Williams and Evan Mobley for the Cleveland Cavaliers are the only two players in the NBA this year that made the all NBA team plus the all NBA defensive team. That's who they are. Their defense is something special. They get up in you. And Tyrese Halliburton, the engine that stirs the cup for the Indiana Pacer is going to have the work of his lifetime cut out for him. I think Rick Carlisle's brilliance as a coach Indiana utilizing a zone defense and compromising OKC's offense could bode well for them for a couple of games, but not the series. I believe OKC is going to be too much for them. I'd be shocked if they won this series. If they lost this series, I'm sorry to Indiana. I respect the hell out of Indiana. They were the better team than the New York Knicks. They deserve to be in the NBA Finals. Halliburton is not overrated. He's a stud. Pascal Siakam is a champion. Miles Turner, Neem Nemhard niece Smith. These brothers can ball TJ McConnell the Little Engine that could got nothing but love for him him. But these Pacers I believe are not on the same level as okc. Rick Car is going to have to put some pull something out of his hat to pull this one off. And I think he can do it for a couple of games, but not four. I got OKC and six, six, six. That's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith show. Next time you see me on it will be live from Oklahoma City. Until then, peace and love, everybody. I gotta go.

[Katherine Townsend]

Over the years of making my true crime podcast hell and gone, I've learned no town is too small. For murder. I'm Katherine Townsend. I've heard from hundreds of people across the country with an unsolved murder in their community.

[Caller (Husband's Murder)]

I was calling about the murder of my husband.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The murder is still out there.

[Katherine Townsend]

Each week I investigate a new case. If there is a case we should Hear about. Call 678-744-6145. Listen to Helen Gone Murderline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here Diddy's former protege, television personality Danity King alum Aubrey o' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. It wasn't all bad, but I don't.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Know that any of the good was real.

[Amy Robach]

I went through things there. Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Katherine Townsend]

This is an iHeart podcast.