The Stephen A. Smith Show - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Full Show: Steve Bannon Plans a 3rd Term for President Trump. Jess Hilarious Brings Drama to The Breakfast Club
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guest: Jonathan Majors
Description: In this episode, Stephen A. Smith engages in a heated political discussion about Steve Bannon's ambitions for Donald Trump's third presidential term. Additionally, Smith conducts an in-depth interview with actor Jonathan Majors, delving into his personal struggles and upcoming film "Magazine Dreams." The show concludes with a segment addressing drama involving Jess Hilarious from The Breakfast Club.

1. Political Discourse: Steve Bannon's Third-Term Ambitions

Timestamp: [01:03] – [20:56]

Stephen A. Smith initiates the episode by addressing the controversial announcement made by Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist for President Donald Trump. Bannon declared his support for Trump's bid for a third presidential term, a move that blatantly contradicts the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms.

Key Points Discussed:

• Constitutional Conflict: Jonathan Majors vehemently opposes Bannon's stance, emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional limits. He states, “What the hell does Steve Bannon, Jonathan Majors, and the Breakfast Club have in common? All will be on the Stephen A. Smith show right now” ([01:03]).

• Bannon's Legal Troubles: Majors highlights Bannon's recent legal issues, including his guilty plea to defrauding donors for the "We Build the Wall" campaign. He mentions, “Steve Bannon pleaded guilty this past Tuesday to defrauding donors to a private effort to build a wall on the US Southern border” ([09:05]).

• Hypocrisy of Right-Wing Pundits: Majors criticizes right-wing figures who previously championed the Constitution but now seek to undermine it for political gain. He asserts, “They spent decades preaching about the Constitution, and now they say there’s nothing wrong with circumventing it” ([07:33]).

• Call for Republican Leadership: Majors urges other Republican leaders like J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley to step up as potential successors instead of clinging to Trump. He questions, “Why don't you run, then? Why don't you run?” ([12:25]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Majors: “Steve Bannon, you’re trying to circumvent the Constitution. How do you think he gets another term?” ([05:26])

• Stephen A. Smith: “Respectfully, Bill O'Reilly. It doesn't matter whether it's not going to happen. It matters that people on the right... say there’s nothing wrong with circumventing [the Constitution].” ([07:33])

2. Exclusive Interview: Jonathan Majors on "Magazine Dreams" and Personal Struggles

Timestamp: [28:48] – [65:45]

Stephen A. Smith welcomes actor Jonathan Majors to the show to discuss his new film, "Magazine Dreams," and to delve into Majors' personal challenges over the past year, including his conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment of an ex-girlfriend.

Key Points Discussed:

• Personal Growth and Support System: Majors shares his journey through personal trauma and the pivotal role his wife, Megan Good, played in his rehabilitation. He remarks, “She brought me out of a... she saved my life” ([52:34]).

• Impact of Conviction: Addressing his past, Majors reflects on how his conviction affected his career and personal life. He says, “I had to metabolize it, and I wouldn't be the man I am now without that” ([36:52]).

• "Magazine Dreams" Insights: Majors discusses the themes of the film, focusing on resilience and healing. He parallels his character, Killian Maddox, with his own experiences, stating, “He refuses to give up. He has a dream... I can relate to that” ([38:09]).

• Support from Peers: Majors acknowledges the unwavering support from fellow actors like Michael B. Jordan and Matthew McConaughey, emphasizing their belief in his talent and character. He notes, “Matthew said to me, I believe in you” ([57:10]).

• Addressing Recent Allegations: Majors touches upon recent audio tapes implicating him further but maintains his focus on personal growth and his upcoming film. He asserts, “I’m looking forward to moving forward” ([36:37]).

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Majors: “She saw something in me and she helped put me back together and made me a better man.” ([31:10])

• Stephen A. Smith: “He openly admits that he was convicted... He can't be absolved from what he was convicted of.” ([63:58])

• Jonathan Majors: “I just... I'm just so grateful to them.” ([58:32])

3. Drama at The Breakfast Club: Jess Hilarious Responds to Criticism

Timestamp: [70:03] – [75:49]

The show transitions to addressing recent drama involving Jess Hilarious from The Breakfast Club. Jess responded to criticism from comedian Corey Holcomb, who suggested that her fill-in, Lauren LaRosa, was a better talent.

Key Points Discussed:

• Public vs. Private Conflict Resolution: Stephen A. Smith advises Jess Hilarious on handling criticism more constructively, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues privately rather than airing grievances on social media. He suggests, “Sometimes it's disciplining yourself enough to swallow... Explode in private next time” ([75:28]).

• Support for Jess: Smith acknowledges Jess's talent and encourages her to continue thriving despite external negativity. He expresses, “Jess, you are a talent... these opportunities don't come everybody's way” ([75:06]).

• Team Unity: The discussion underscores the importance of maintaining unity among team members and not letting external critics sow discord. Smith emphasizes, “You need to support each other as teammates” ([73:59]).

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith: “Sometimes it's disciplining yourself enough to swallow like you said you would swallow. You keep your mouth shut like you said you did.” ([75:28])

• Jonathan Majors: “They don’t like it. Some love it, some don't.” ([75:38])

Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating his support for Jonathan Majors and offering guidance to Jess Hilarious on handling criticism. He emphasizes the importance of constitutional integrity in politics and unity within teams facing public scrutiny. The episode highlights Smith's commitment to addressing both political issues and personal growth narratives, providing a comprehensive and engaging discourse for his audience.

Notable Exclusions: Advertisements, non-content segments, and unrelated promotional content have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and interviews that occurred during the episode.