The Stephen A. Smith Show: In-Depth Summary of June 10, 2025 Episode

Released on June 10, 2025, The Stephen A. Smith Show, hosted by Stephen A. Smith in collaboration with iHeartPodcasts, delves into pressing societal issues beyond the realm of sports. This episode features an interview with conservative activist Riley Gaines and updates from ET’s Kevin Frazier on the ongoing immigration crisis in California.

1. Introduction and Acknowledgments

Stephen A. Smith opens the show by expressing gratitude to his subscribers and promoting his New York Times best-selling book, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes. He emphasizes the show's commitment to delivering unfiltered opinions on major headlines and engaging interviews with influential figures.

2. Immigration Crisis and Los Angeles Protests

Smith addresses the escalating tensions in Los Angeles, highlighting a fourth consecutive day of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The situation has led to over 100 arrests and significant federal intervention.

Key Points:

• Federal Deployment: President Donald Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and additional Marines to Los Angeles to manage the protests and protect federal properties.

• Local Government Response: Governor Gavin Newsom is suing the administration, claiming the federalization of the state National Guard infringes on California’s sovereignty. Mayor Karen Bass acknowledges limited damage but asserts that the majority of Los Angeles remains unaffected.

• Defense Secretary's Inaction: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced criticism for not addressing the costs or resource reallocations involved in deploying troops to California.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith [05:15]: "That's bull. You get summoned to Capitol Hill. You're the Defense Secretary of the United States of America. You're in front of representatives who control our budget... They ask you a damn question about what it costs. You're supposed to have the answers."

• Stephen A. Smith [10:00]: "Republican pollster Whit Ayers in a Wall Street Journal says... this is exactly the kind of fight that Donald Trump loves with his opponents carrying Mexican flags and past burning cars."

3. Interview with Kevin Frazier: Reality on the Ground

Stephen A. Smith welcomes Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight to provide firsthand insights into the Los Angeles situation.

Key Points:

• Media Portrayal vs. Reality: Frazier observes that national cable news outlets are exaggerating the extent of the chaos in Los Angeles. He reports that outside the immediate downtown area, life continues normally.

• Focus on Agitators: Frazier emphasizes that the majority of Los Angeles residents are unaffected and going about their daily lives, while a small group of agitators causes disruptions.

• Impact on Community: He highlights the negative repercussions on the city's workforce, particularly among Latino communities, due to heightened fears and security measures.

Notable Quotes:

• Kevin Frazier [13:55]: "The narrative that LA is in chaos, that the city is burning, that it would have burned down if it wasn't for the President. Sending in troops is a false narrative."

• Kevin Frazier [20:20]: "Violent criminals, get them out of here. People who are doing bad things, get them out of here."

4. Political Implications and Media Influence

Smith discusses how both Democratic and Republican strategists view the situation in Los Angeles as advantageous for Donald Trump's political agenda, especially with upcoming midterm elections.

Key Points:

• Democratic Overreach: The deployment of National Guardsmen and Marines is seen as a double-edged sword, potentially inflaming tensions while also serving as a deterrent against lawlessness.

• Media Sensationalism: Both sides of the political spectrum are accused of amplifying the situation to sway public opinion, which could undermine Democratic efforts and bolster Republican narratives.

• Voter Impact: Smith posits that the portrayal of Democrats as supporting lawlessness could erode their support base, leading to losses in congressional seats.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith [19:21]: "I'm sitting here, months after the election, seeing what's transpiring in Los Angeles, still waiting for the Democrats, in this case, Gavin Newsom, to show me a strategy that's going to work."

5. Transition to NBA Finals Highlight

Before proceeding to the next segment, Smith provides a brief overview of the NBA Finals, praising key players and analyzing team performances. He emphasizes the pivotal nature of Game 3 for the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

6. Interview with Riley Gaines: Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

The episode features a significant segment with Riley Gaines, a former NCAA All-American swimmer and conservative activist, who discusses the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women's sports.

Key Points:

• Case Study: Gaines references the controversial participation of a transgender softball pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, in Minnesota's Champlin Park High School, which led to a state championship victory that defied President Trump's executive order.

• Personal Experience: Gaines shares her own traumatic experiences competing against male swimmers, highlighting disparities in physicality and treatment in athletic competitions.

• Simone Biles' Criticism: Gaines responds to Simone Biles' condemnation of her stance, expressing disappointment in Biles' approach and emphasizing the importance of fair competition for female athletes.

• Solutions Proposed: Gaines advocates for maintaining separate categories for male and female athletes without introducing identity-based divisions, arguing that sports should focus on performance rather than gender identity.

Notable Quotes:

• Riley Gaines [29:31]: "This boy is following the rules that were in place by local leadership, state leadership, but nonetheless, it violated federal law, that federal law being Title IX."

• Stephen A. Smith [33:32]: "Women should be competing against women, men should be competing against men, and transgenders should be competing against transgenders."

• Riley Gaines [37:05]: "These are the wrong people. These are agitators who are coming out for different reasons besides what the people who are joining the peaceful protests are out there for."

• Riley Gaines [42:06]: "We have a men's category and we have a women's category. That allows for everyone under the sun to be able to compete."

• Riley Gaines [44:31]: "Sports are about winning, it's about success. I don't know if you saw even just this afternoon, Simone Biles issued an apology to me..."

7. Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the show by expressing appreciation for his guests and teasing upcoming discussions on the NBA Finals. He underscores the show's dedication to addressing significant societal issues through informed and direct dialogue.

8. Advertisements and Promotions Skipped

The podcast includes advertisements for AT&T guarantees and Washable Sofas, as well as promotions for Prize Picks and iHeart’s Camp Shame series. These sections have been omitted from this summary to maintain focus on the main content.

Summary: This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show navigates through the complexities of the immigration crisis in Los Angeles, highlighting the interplay between federal interventions and local governance. Through interviews with Kevin Frazier and Riley Gaines, the show provides a platform for diverse perspectives on pressing societal issues, including the contentious debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sports. Smith's adept moderation ensures a comprehensive exploration of topics that resonate with a wide audience, fostering informed discussions on contemporary challenges.