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Jorge Ham
Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need. Like 24.7claims, I'm on cloud nine. Clouds are wholly unable to support the weight of an adult human. What's happening? Furthermore, clouds are not numbered. Even if you procured a jetpack and searched, you'd find no cloud numbered nine. However, at that altitude, you'd likely befriend a flock of migrating snow geese. Geese who'd encourage you to leave your 24.7geico motorcycle claims insurance behind, as they would take you in and even share their dinner of crickets and clovers with you. GEICO assumes no liability for any indigestion that may occur from a clover cricket dinner. GEICO expertise for your motorcycle have you ever wondered if your pet is lying to you, why is my cat not here and I go in and she's eating my lunch? Or if hypnotism is real, you will use this suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive controls. But what's inside a black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new I Heart Original podcast Science Stuff. Join me Jorge Ham as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Stephen A. Smith
What's up everybody? Stephen A. Smith here. Recently we made news because the great Bill O'Reilly announced a tour that's coming nearest you in the very, very near, future. Get your tickets now for this. It's called Three Americans Live March 30th at Live Nation's Flagstar at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. Don't miss the very first show as myself, Chris Cuomo and yes, that man Bill O'Reilly take our different ideas, our different backgrounds, our different beliefs across the country to demonstrate that respectful, meaningful and even fun conversation. Those are the things that make America as great as it should be. The show will be spirited, unscripted and all three of us will let it fly. As we discuss the topics everyone is thinking about these days. There will also be questions from the audience. We're not running. Tickets are officially on sale now with Pre sale code USA@3americanslive.com VIP packages are available with the opportunity to meet and take photos with myself and both those fellas. That's three Americans live March 30th at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. Additional dates and cities to be announced. Don't miss it. Trust Me? You'll get a kick out of it. What in 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. Foreign.
Jonathan Majors
I'm pretty pissed off. I'm pretty pissed off. I'm not pissed off about the conversation I'm about to have with Jonathan Majors. I'm looking forward to that. But I'm pretty pissed off and I'm not gonna miss words today. I'm gonna try to keep it. I'm gonna try to keep it kosher. I'm gonna try to keep it nice. But there's certain things I just don't like, and I'm not gonna hold back. Welcome to this latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith show, coming at you over the Digital Airways of YouTube. And of course, iHeartRadio. Thanks again to all the subscribers and followers supporting the show. Really, really appreciate it. But I'm so pissed off today. I don't even give a damn about telling you about my New York Times bestselling book. I don't care about telling you about my subscribers right now because of this dude, Steve Bannon. All you right wingers out there, you done pissed me off. You see, this is the BS that I'm talking about here, right? Pay attention, ladies and gentlemen, pay attention. Because at least some of y'all, especially on the fringes, you full of. You full of it. And I'm not gonna let this thing go unspoken. It ain't right. So we gonna call y'all out. I wanna hear that liberal nonsense. You ain't listening to a liberal right now. I don't give a damn what you think. Just because I vote for liberals 90% of the time with the.
Stephen A. Smith
With the.
Jonathan Majors
With the presidency, that don't mean I do it with everything else. But under these circumstances, with the kind of stuff that I'm hearing right now, I don't think anybody should vote for a Republican if this stuff slides. Now, what the hell am I talking about? Let me tell you right now as we get started with the show today with politics, Jonathan Majors. I'm coming to you, bro. I'm coming to you. But I gotta get this off my chest first. We gonna start with some politics and some headlines made by Mr. Steve Bannon himself. Remember former chief strategist for President Donald Trump, Mr. Bright bought news himself that Steve Bannon. Well, guess what, y'all?
Stephen A. Smith
He appeared on Chris Cuomo show on News Nation on Tuesday night and said in no uncertain terms that he plans to support a push for a third.
Jonathan Majors
Term for President Donald Trump. Take a listen, please. I'm a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028. So I've already endorsed President Trump. A man like this comes along once every century, if we're lucky. We've got him now. He's on fire, and I'm a huge supporter. Want to see him again in 2028?
Stephen A. Smith
You know, he's term limited. How do you think he gets another term?
Jonathan Majors
We're working on it. I think we'll have. I think we'll have a couple of alternatives. Let's say that. We'll see. We'll see. We'll see what the definition of term living is. What the hell are you smiling about, Steve Bannon? That's bs. That's bs. Seriously. Somebody needs to tell you. You got that wicked ass smile on your face. So is that funny to circumvent the Constitution? Is that. Is that funny to alter and circumvent the 22nd Amendment? I thought you were conservative. I thought it was about the Constitution. Constitution, Constitution, okay? If anybody was against the Constitution or should be against the Constitution, it should be black people. Remember, the Constitution had us as three fifths of a man. Remember that. If anybody should want to go against the Constitution, it should be us. What the hell are you doing talking about it for? This is unbelievable, the hypocrisy of some of y'all. It makes no sense whatsoever. You don't have. You don't have a right to talk about the left when you spewing that BS right there. That's straight bs. That's straight bs. Before I go further, though, let me dial it back just a second, because as I get into my diatribe over that bull that came out of his mouth on national television last night, I.
Stephen A. Smith
Came on the show in the immediate.
Jonathan Majors
Aftermath of his appearance with Chris Cuomo. It was me and Bill O'Reilly together, and I took issue with Bill O'Reilly, too. And rather than tell you why, I'm gonna show you why. Play this clip of Bill Riley, Bill O'Reilly talking, please. And then followed up with me. Play that on News Nation with Chris Cuomo, please. Okay, so that's a fantasy.
Bill O'Reilly
And I don't really consider those kinds.
Jonathan Majors
Of things not going to happen. Never will happen. It's not worth my time or your time. Donald Trump will serve out his second term. Hopefully, he'll be successful. And then J.D. vance will run for president in 28. Unless something happens.
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 who preached for decades upon decades about following the Constitution, suddenly come on national television and say there's nothing wrong with circumventing it. That's the issue. The 22nd Amendment says it. Okay? It explicitly states in the Constitution that for the presidency there will be a two term limit. No person shall serve more than two terms. They know this. Now, these are the same people that spent decades upon decades telling us the Constitution. The Constitution, the Constitution. We're going to follow the Constitution. But now that they've got a guy in office that they swear by, suddenly the rules don't apply. Amen.
Jonathan Majors
And it's less than 24 hours later or more than 12 hours later, and.
Stephen A. Smith
I stand by that statement.
Jonathan Majors
Suddenly you don't give a damn. You see, this is why y'all are full of it. And I'm not talking about the right or the left. I'm talking about pundits. I'm talking about politicians. I'm talking about anyone entrenched within the fabric of our political apparatus that exists today.
Stephen A. Smith
You know why?
Jonathan Majors
Because you don't care about politics. You don't care about governing. What you care about is getting what the hell you want come hella high water. Which would be fun if you didn't accuse and denigrate the other side for doing the shit that you're doing. That's what you did, Steve Bannon.
Stephen A. Smith
That's what you did.
Jonathan Majors
Now, let me tell you something right now. I got a team here, got producers, researchers, all that other stuff one of my producers made sure to send to me.
Stephen A. Smith
Don't forget this man pled guilty in.
Jonathan Majors
The border wall fraud case. Okay? Steve Bannon pleaded guilty this past Tuesday to defrauding donors to a private effort to build a wall on the US Southern border. Ending the case, the conservative strategist decried.
Stephen A. Smith
As a quote, political persecution.
Jonathan Majors
Spared from jail as a part of the plea deal, he left court saying he felt like a million bucks. Remember that, Steve Bannon? Because I got more. Okay, let me just say this because let me let everybody know who the.
Stephen A. Smith
Hell I'm talking to, all right?
Jonathan Majors
I'm talking to a man who was the chief executive in 20. In August of 2016, you were appointed chief executive of Trump's presidential campaign. You refocused the campaign shot.
Stephen A. Smith
I'm taking off. These are my own notes, by the way.
Jonathan Majors
Okay? You refocused the campaign strategy, emphasizing themes of economic nationalism and anti establishment rhetoric.
Stephen A. Smith
Which played a pivotal role, obviously, in Trump's electoral Success.
Jonathan Majors
You were the White House chief strategist.
Stephen A. Smith
Following the 2016 election, you served as the chief strategist and Senior Counsel to the President. In your role, you were instrumental in.
Jonathan Majors
Shaping early policies, including controversial travel ban targeting several predominantly Muslim countries. Let's not forget that promotion of your populist policies. Let's not forget that you advocated for withdrawing from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and promoted a more isolationist foreign policy, aligning with Trump's America first agenda. No crime there. Here's where the crime supposedly kicked in. Steve Bannon, arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the We Build the Wall fundraising campaign. Prosecutors alleged that you and your associates.
Stephen A. Smith
Misused funds raised for construction for constructing.
Jonathan Majors
A U.S. mexico border wall, diverting them from personal expenses. You plead not guilty to those charges. In the final hours of the presidency, however, Trump issued a pardon for you, effectively dismissing the federal charges related to.
Stephen A. Smith
The We Build the Wall campaign.
Jonathan Majors
However, presidential pardons apply only to federal.
Stephen A. Smith
Offenses and do not protect against state level prosecutions.
Jonathan Majors
Consequently, In September of 2022, you face state charges in New York for involvement in the same fundraising scheme in February of this year. Last month, you pled guilty to one count of fraud and received a three year conditional discharge, avoiding additional prison time. Okay. Regarding your contempt of Congress charges, these stemmed from your refusal to comply with subpoena issued by the house committee investigating Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Stephen A. Smith
The Capitol attack. The riots, the insurrection.
Jonathan Majors
That's what it was.
Stephen A. Smith
Okay.
Jonathan Majors
You were convicted on two counts of contempt. In July 2022, you were sentenced to four months in prison. In October 2022, you began serving that sentence. On July 1, 2024, you were released.
Stephen A. Smith
On October 29th of last year. Basically, that's it. And by the way, you admitted to the $15 million We Build the Wall case. You know, the $15 million in fraud. Why do I bring all of that up? Because it's necessary. Steve Bannon, I, for one, am not interested in nonviolent people spending time in jail. I'm not wishing you were in jail. I'm not calling you a racist or any other derogatory names. I'm just saying that what you said on national TV on a Chris Cuomo show, that was bs.
Jonathan Majors
What the hell is wrong with you Republicans? What is this fixation, this cult like allure and addiction to Donald Trump? J.D. vance, is his vice president clearly capable of running for the presidency in 2028? Marco Rubio is nothing to sneeze at. As our Secretary of State. He's more than qualified and will be more than qualified to run for the presidency of the United States of America. Ron DeSantis is the governor in Florida. He's another person. Nikki Haley is another person. There's plenty of people to run for the presidency for the right. This addiction, this fixation on Trump has reached to such a degree that you, as a right winger who lives on the Constitution, like so many others on the right, suddenly gonna open your mouth and say, we're working on it.
Stephen A. Smith
We're working on circumventing our way around the 22nd Amendment in the United States Constitution. That's what we're doing now.
Jonathan Majors
It's explicitly states, no president shall serve more than two terms. Explicitly. We're working on it. We're working on it. That's what we're doing. That's what we're doing. I have never been okay with people bringing up authoritarian figures and some of their heinous histories, the Stalins, the Mussolini's, the Hitlers of the world and others. And I'm certainly not going to do that with Trump now, no matter how much the left spews it, I think irresponsibly, I might add. But, Steve Bannon, you did nothing to help dissuade or diminish or quiet those assertions, those venomous assertions towards Donald Trump. When you talk about facilitating a movement and sparking a movement and working on a movement that's going to get him to get a third term, it's wrong. Now, you want to bring up fdr, you want to bring up what happened with him and how the aftermath of him only then where was the 22nd amendment put in a place where you explicitly being limited to two terms as a president? So what you're saying is you want to go way back in time, huh? Look up way back in time. How far back?
Stephen A. Smith
Steve Bannon, what you trying to say? I mean, I'm just asking. Educate me.
Jonathan Majors
I'm all ears. What are you trying to say that.
Stephen A. Smith
You want in this country want black folks gone or at least drastically diminished? You want Latinos to go back from whence they came?
Jonathan Majors
That what you want? You want women subjugated to lesser roles? What you trying to say? Because if you gonna get away with that, what's to stop you with everything else? We know you Contributed to Project 2025. What you trying to say? What are you trying to say? And see, this is what I get pissed off about. See, to be very, very clear, this is why I have no love for the Democrats. No, love.
Stephen A. Smith
Because you knew cats like him was lurking. And what do you do from a strategy perspective? Let me have open borders. Let me support that, because that'll buffer our voting block. Let me act like a man that's about to turn 82 can give us four more years. When you knew he was declining.
Jonathan Majors
Let me talk about how the economy is great.
Stephen A. Smith
When you knew inflation was going to ravage us.
Jonathan Majors
Let me not prioritize looking strong globally because we got stuff at home here.
Stephen A. Smith
That we want to facilitate.
Jonathan Majors
It wasn't a winning strategy. Even now on the left, one of the most popular figures is AOC Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. You know what the problem with her is? She'll never get a majority vote because she doesn't galvanize. As fiery and feisty and knowledgeable and articulate as she is, she doesn't galvanize. She polarizes. We have no one in the Democratic Party that galvanizes. That's a voice that resonates. I'm not talking about governors like Josh Shapiro and Westmore. I'm rooting for guys like them. I'm talking about national figures in the House of Congress or in the Senate. We got Chuck Schumer on the View getting called to the carpet, treated like a punk instead of a senator, damn near helpless to do anything about it. Why? Because the world that we know it is disintegrating before our very eyes. Because your sorry ass is on the left. Prioritized the wrong thing that didn't mean a damn thing to the rest of us. You forgot about black people. You took us for granted. You forgot about Latinos. You took them in the country for granted. It wasn't enough for the people that were here. You open the borders and you got.
Stephen A. Smith
Somebody like Steve Bannon being in a position where he can go on national television with a straight face, smiling and.
Jonathan Majors
Cheesing like he taking photos at a red carpet event instead of being on a news program like News Nation talking about circumventing the damn Constitution just so Trump could get a third term. Where the Republicans at? Where y'all at? Y'all gonna go for this? I thought y'all were about the Constitution. My man, Sean Hannity. What's up? What's up? You cool with them saying that? I don't care what Bill O'Reilly said about, oh, it's not going to happen. That's not the point. The point is most of the American people don't know whether it's going to happen or not. And it scares the living Hell, out of them. And y'all don't mind the stress that you caused them in the midterm. While rhetoric like this is allowed to disseminate to the masses. Excuse my language. That's up. That ain't right. And Steve Bannon, if the president is so big time, and he's all of this and that, as the pastor has said, many pastors have said on many occasions, there's no success without a successor. How come y'all can't find a successor? Steve Bannon. Hell, the only person ahead of you in some of the polls on the right is J.D. vance. Why don't you run, then? Why don't you run? What's wrong with Rubio? What's wrong with Vance? What's wrong with Christy? What's wrong with Desantis? What's wrong with Haley? What the hell's going on with you and Trump and some of y'all? And Trump. That y'all, y'all. I mean, this man passed gas. Y'all call it perfume. He spits in somebody's face. Y'all say it's raining. Where's your heart? Where's your guts? You can't stand up to him. You can't sit up there and say, yo, cultivate a successor. Breed one. Make sure there's somebody next in line. You can't do that.
Stephen A. Smith
Should be ashamed of yourself. Should be ashamed of yourself. You're not serving this country. You serving him.
Jonathan Majors
You ain't serving God. You serving him.
Stephen A. Smith
Is it because there's something personally invested in it for you? I'm just wondering. Steve Bannon is a highly, highly intelligent man. He is not a dummy. He knows what the hell he's talking about. He's forgotten more politics and policy than I know at this particular moment in time. But the more I know, the more trouble people in. You're not only doing stuff in this country that's rolling backs, progress made via civil rights legislation and beyond since the 1960s. Now you trying to get a dude a third term. Really should be ashamed of yourself. Should be ashamed of yourself. Coming up, this beef on the Breakfast Club and the host on the show handled the situation like men and women. I'll get into that straight ahead. But first, three years ago, Jonathan Majors was a major box office star. Then he was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment of an ex girlfriend. His career took a major hit, and now he's back with a new film called Magazine Dreams. I'll talk to him about that and his life now. Next on the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away.
Jonathan Majors
Okay, folks, I need you all to stop what you're doing and listen up.
Stephen A. Smith
You know I love this time of year, right?
Jonathan Majors
College basketball is heating up with all.
Stephen A. Smith
This action jumping off. The Stephen A. Smith show wants to make sure you take advantage of it all.
Jonathan Majors
That's why we've partnered with Prize Picks.
Stephen A. Smith
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Jonathan Majors
Check out the free pick prize picks dropped this week.
Stephen A. Smith
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Jonathan Majors
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Stephen A. Smith
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Jonathan Majors
First up, Auburn takes on Alabama State.
Stephen A. Smith
Will Auburn's Janai Broom score more or less than 0.5 points more? Please stop the nonsense, okay? Is he gonna get hurt during the jump ball? That's the only way he ain't scoring more than 0.5 points. Okay, let's move on.
Jonathan Majors
Next, St. John's University faces Omaha. Will St. John's Kadari Richmond score more.
Stephen A. Smith
Or less than 16 points? I'm going with more. The brother can play. And not only that, you ain't got too many scoring options if you're the St. John's Red Storm. Them brothers can defend their athletes. They get all up in your jock strap, they do all of that. But in the end they're not real shooters, all right? They rely on that brother to do it for them. He's going to score more than 16 points.
Jonathan Majors
Next Tennessee versus Wofford.
Stephen A. Smith
Will Tennessee's Jazz Lanier score more or.
Jonathan Majors
Less than 17 1/2 points?
Stephen A. Smith
I'm going one more with him as well. Lanier can ball. He's somebody that the balls are going to depend on, okay? They're damn good team. They just wasn't Florida. But against anybody else they could do some damage. I'm going to go with 17 and a half points more than that with this brother Lanier right now. And finally, Kansas plays Arkansas. Will Hunter Dickinson of Kansas score more or less than 19 and a half points. I'mma go with less. I think this is going to be a good matchup. Arkansas could have looked better. Calipari's first year. I get all of that. Kansas is Bill Self. We know what they bring to the table, but he's usually got a bevy of weapons. You got guys that are big time players scoring 16 and 17 points for Bill Self because there's, there's, there's so much wealth to be spread around. So I'm going to go with less on this one. He's going to have a good game. He's just not going to need to score more than 19 and a half points to pull it off. All right, so there you have it. More for Janai Brown, more for Kadari Richmond, more for Chaz Lanier and less for Hunter Dickinson. That's my, that's my. Those are my picks for prize picks. This is the ncaa, y'all. This March. This is the madness of March. This is the NCAA tournament.
Jonathan Majors
It's the best time of the year.
Stephen A. Smith
I can't wait to do more of these stick around prospects.
Jorge Ham
Take an AMEX card with you on your morning coffee run and earn cash back on a weekend trip. Earn miles. See if you pre qualify for an American Express card with no impact on your credit score. Learn more@americanexpress.com check-4 offers. Your credit score may be impacted if you accept a card. Terms apply. September 1979. Virginia's top prison band, Edge of Daybreak, is about to record their debut album behind bars in just five hours.
Bill O'Reilly
Okay, we're rolling.
Stephen A. Smith
One, two, three, four.
Jorge Ham
I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unfinished business.
Stephen A. Smith
They air the daybreak. Eyes of Love was supposed to have been followed up by another album.
Jorge Ham
It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice system, and ultimately, second chances. Listen to Soul incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Jonathan Majors
Come on, come on.
Bill O'Reilly
Hey, guys, kill your Maddox is here.
Jonathan Majors
Current eyepiece?
Bill O'Reilly
No.
Jonathan Majors
There's four S's to bodybuilding.
Bill O'Reilly
Size, striation, symmetry and strength. Strength is usually not something they can test right away, but it can be inferred. Front Lat Spring 2016 Grand Prix Dayton, Ohio Judge told me my deltoids were too small. These are your Deltoids. Here, here. There's three part, three parts to it. There's the front deltoid, the front of the deltoid, side of deltoid, and your rear deltoid. When someone hears that your deltoids are small, they're essentially saying three muscle groups are small, which is quite jolting. Also, you'll see the, the best way to demonstrate the front deltoid, it's probably.
Jonathan Majors
Side, chest, back, back, back, back, back, back.
Bill O'Reilly
And then. Hey, guys, Jillian Malik's here. Current NPC competitor, future, future IFBB pro champion.
Stephen A. Smith
There he is. My next guest is an Emmy nominated actor known for the hit films Creed 3, Ant man and the Wasp, Quantumania and the Harder They Fall. His new film is called Magazine Dreams. Please welcome one of the best actors in the business right now, the one and only Jonathan Majors, here with yours truly. What's going on, Jonathan? How are you, man? How's everything?
Bill O'Reilly
Everything's good, brother. How you feeling?
Stephen A. Smith
I'm doing all right. Before I get into the movie, you.
Jonathan Majors
Got to get, got a lot of.
Stephen A. Smith
Stuff to get into because I can't wait to talk to you about this movie.
Jonathan Majors
What is this I'm hearing?
Stephen A. Smith
There's some, there's, there's some news about you're a married man now. You just got married. Is that true?
Bill O'Reilly
This happened yesterday morning, orchestrated by my mother, who married us in our backyard, man. Yeah.
Stephen A. Smith
Well, listen, congratulations on that. To the wonderful Megan Good. Everybody loves Megan Good. There's no question about that. Major, major props to her. What if she's a sensational actress in her own right? And so I'm really, really happy for the both of you. Talk to me about why now was the right time for the nuptials in your estimation.
Bill O'Reilly
We had been putting it off and we saw that the film was coming to life and my mother was coming out, and my mother's birthday was the same day as the premiere. And we called her, she knew she came from Texas. And it was just the perfect time. There she is. Yeah, it was just the perfect time. And had the whole family on the FaceTime and. And that was that. So, yeah, I love that woman Death, and she's my best friend. And it was, it was time, you know, so. And we had scheduled it, so we just kept our. Kept to the schedule.
Stephen A. Smith
You know, it's an odd question, but I think it's an appropriate question because, you know, as a man, you think about what makes a woman special. It's not just the beauty on the outside. Is the beauty on the inside. And obviously, you know that, you know that we're going to ask you about what you've, what you've endured over the last year, but before we even into that, how much did that play a role in you ultimately getting married to her, considering the fact that she has been by your side seemingly every second of the ordeal that you've, you've, you've had to endure over the last year?
Bill O'Reilly
Plus or so person once said to me that your partner, you know, you want to, you want to see him and be with him through all the seasons. Up, down, hot, cold, yeah, fall, spring, winter, etc. You know, but all the seasons of your life, you know, things that you're experiencing. And Megan and I did that. You know, she came into my life at a time when everyone was running away. And I very clearly said to her right at the beginning, this is going to be very real and I don't know how long it's going to last. And at that point we were very close friends, but we already kind of got into a place. I had feelings for her and she had feelings for me. And all I was saying was, you know, you can go now. You know, like, this is going to be tough and you don't need to be dragged into anything. And very much what we're talking now, you're right in the face via FaceTime and said, I'm not going anywhere. And literally the next day she was on a plane from Vancouver to New York City, where I am now. And that was a wrap. You know, a woman that can love you when you're broken, completely broken, you know, she saw the potential, she saw something in me and she helped put me back together and made me a better man and she inspires me to be a better man and we balance each other out. She's my real dog. She's my best friend. That's my wife.
Stephen A. Smith
When you talk about being broken, obviously everybody's gonna think about December 2023. That's when the New York jury conv you a one count of misdemeanor third degree assault and one count of second degree harassment of your then ex girlfriend, Grace Jabari. You avoided jail time but were ordered to do a 52 week in person batterers intervention program. Talk to me about that case, that situation, but most importantly, tell me how the last year has been for you in light of having to endure that and to be found guilty.
Bill O'Reilly
Well, the trial and the case in that situation, I mean that's. This point is common knowledge. You know, the viewers can go online, I Can't speak to that anyway, you know, but the verdict is also common knowledge. And, you know, in that moment, I mean, it was heart wrenching in many ways. You know, there was so much shame and confusion and was just lost in a way, you know, lost in myself in a way. But I knew when I looked around, right, and we start the journey, you know, the year, year, that year. And so after the realization and confronting all of that pushed me and allowed me to really orient myself to myself and find a way back to myself, you know, and so the growth, man. I got a tattoo on my neck now that says rebirth. And I think I got that, you know, I definitely got it. I got it after the trial, you know, living in the apartment that I was, you know, during the trial, you know, and. And that became my mission. And Megan was there for that. And I got. I mean, I got. I feel like I have an all star team of support around me, you know, between. Megan, you mentioned the sessions, the 52 sessions. Those things are incredible. I love them. I love them. I intend on staying with it, you know, even when this is done. My personal therapist, my pastor, my family, I began to really try to utilize them and ask them, you know, for help in many ways, because the two years of that saga, you know, of the struggle was extremely confronting. And I got to really witness parts of myself that I didn't like. I didn't want to keep moving in that way, you know, I didn't want to keep feeling like that, you know, And I'm an athlete, you know, and I'm an actor. And one thing I did learn in those things where I feel I'm okay is I was built as an actor. There's a group of people that helped me become an actor. You know, I went to my programs, I went to my schools, I went to my summer camps. I did all that and became. Became an actor that I'm. I'm proud of being. Same thing with my fitness and my body. I have a huge amount of people that I ask questions how to lift this, how to do that, where. What I didn't have was that type of system, those types of coaches and friends for myself, for me, you know, when you're not in the gym, when you're not on set, I didn't have that, you know, and so those two things far surpassed and far outran, you know, my inner self, you know, and so now I had to. And what I've been doing, what I will continue to do for the rest of my life, is stay in the self gym. Stay in the Mental wellness gym. Stay in the what can I do to be a better Man?
Stephen A. Smith
You were stating that immediately once the court case had ended. And obviously you had to endure what you had to endure. And then you're moving on and this movie's about to come out. And then all a sudden, some recent audio tape was released of you admitting to choking your ex girlfriend. And so now that's in the news. Weird timing, I might add, that that's in the news the week this movie is coming out. But I want to know what you have to say about all of that. And do you believe in any way that that has derailed the momentum that you were building leading into the premiere of this movie?
Bill O'Reilly
I think it's all God's plan. You know, something in the past few years that I've kind of realized is there's. There's no control. You know, we're all in here trying to figure that out ourselves. You know, I can only take care of myself and control myself. You know, a great example of that is we planned on getting married, you know, March 18th day after my mother's birthday. That's what we planned on doing. And if we would have let something like that derail us from that, I wouldn't be married to the woman of my. Of my dreams. You know, I've got to keep my path and keep things forward, you know, is the timing. I mean, the timing's. The timing. You know, I. I can't say anything about that, but I see it, you know, the derailment of the film. Who knows? You know, at this point, the film has a. Has a. Has a life of its own. Yes, I'm an integral part of it, but it has a life of its own, you know, and I hope people will come and see it. I stand by it. I think it's probably one of the most beautiful films I've had the opportunity to be a part of. It's definitely surrounded by some of the most creative and heartwarming people. You know, like, everyone's pushing to get this thing made and to get it out. So if it derailed it or not, we'll see. If it derailed it, we can always get it back on track. And if it. And if it didn't derail it, you know, glory to God.
Stephen A. Smith
What is it about this film magazine dreams that everybody. I should say, I shouldn't say anybody. Let me focus on you. What is it about this movie that you want people to peel from. From it in terms of how it represents you, whether it be physically, mentally or whatever, how do you want people to see you based on this film?
Bill O'Reilly
As the film's concerned and seeing me, you know, I've dedicated a great deal of my life and my energy and my time to my craft of acting, to. To. To the craft of acting. And this film challenged that to the nth degree, you know, and I poured everything I could into it. Where. Where, Where Killian, I, you know, the character, the protagonist of the film where Kelly Maddox and I kind of align, is that there's a. There's a sense of not giving up. You know, this man, this man refuses to give up. He has a dream, he has a goal for himself that he's trying to achieve. Now, my dream and my goal for myself, you know, to be honest with you, brother, it goes from my hierarchy is quite simple. God, family, art. But I can't give up. You know, Killian Maddox doesn't give up. You know, there's nothing about him. There's no quit in him. And I've had my hurt, I've had my pain, I've had my trials and tribulations, and I'm still hurting, but I'm still healing. And that is an aspect that Killian really, really, really leans into. And he himself deals with his trauma and pushes through. And in this time, even talking to you, you know, big bro, I'm dealing with mine, you know, and I have hope, like Killian has hope that I can achieve my dream, you know, as an actor, but chiefly as a man, as a man of God and now as a husband and a father, as I, as I've been for the past, you know, almost 12 years now. So that, that's where we. That's where we agree.
Stephen A. Smith
Killian and I, just to, you know, educate our audience. All right. This film, it premiered to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival. It's been called Oscar. It's been called an Oscar worthy performance by you, who plays the character Killian Maddox, obviously. And one of the things everybody is looking at, everybody's on peel from it, is the physique, you know, the. The body, how you transform yourself physically.
Jonathan Majors
My attitude is I saw that transformation.
Stephen A. Smith
When it was in Creed 3. Both of us was in Creed 3. See, you're an actor.
Jonathan Majors
I'm just, I'm just, I'm just playing around like one, you know, in moonlight every now and then. Exactly. So we were, we didn't. We wanted to see together, but it was.
Stephen A. Smith
We did a scene where we weren't together, but it was great.
Jonathan Majors
But the way you transformed yourself physically.
Stephen A. Smith
I saw that in Creed 3, obviously before this talk about what you've done and how. And what it takes for you to do what you're doing. I'm told you're getting up five in the morning. I'm told it's about six. What is it, 6, 000 calories a day. Educate us about what the hell's going on with you and what you do to transform what you've done to transform yourself physically.
Bill O'Reilly
Devotion. Devotion. And I mean, let's talk about. I mean, I mean, we're sportsmen, both of us, right? So, yeah, it's the grind, you know, I do wake up. I wake up at 4:20 every day. That gives me 40 minutes to get my dogs fed, get my. Get my shake in and get to the gym. I'm in the gym from, what, five to seven every day, me and a couple buddies. And. And we just hit it. You know, we just hit it. And. And the eating is important. You know, I eat, you know, now. Now I don't eat as much. But during the. During magazine dreams, I was. Yeah, yeah, the word on the street is correct. I was taking in about 6,100 calories, you know, And I remembered every single plate of food I ate because every single food, every single bite was. And sometimes excruciating, you know, having to wake up at what, go to bed at 9, 30 at 10, then wake up again at 1 to take a shake, right, because you want to take a shake. Because you have to build the body up and build the body, and then you just. You're just kind of hurting, you know, your body's just kind of hurting. For the, for the first three months of it, it was just excruciating, you know, because you're trying. We're trying to force our bodies to adapt, you know, and so you really have to surround that body, you know, and your mind around those circumstances, right, in order to adapt the body. That's. That's all, you know, Muscle building, stretching, flexibility. That's all that is. It's your body adapting to the environment. And so for the time we were shooting that film, the environment was. I mean, it was. It was hell, you know, and after a while, you begin to get comfortable in that space, you know, you begin to learn that the pain is a sign that a. Is working. It's working. And, yeah, I mean, what, three times a day? It was posing.
Jonathan Majors
Is that the advice. Is that the advice you would give.
Stephen A. Smith
To people, that the pain is a.
Jonathan Majors
Sign that it's Working. So when you're feeling pain, understand you're making progress. Is that what you're trying to say is that. I'm just checking. I'm just checking.
Bill O'Reilly
Well, I would. I would. I would. I'm not. Not saying that, but I think I'm saying that that pain is a part of it, you know, I mean, pain is definitely a part of it, right? That the discomfort, you know, to get the body to. To grow, you know, especially in. I'll speak right to the bodybuilders, especially for a bodybuilder, you know, like, there is a certain amount of mental toughness that is needed because your body will tell you to stop, you know, and then you realize that I don't know what it is, but you can go further, you know, and you must go further to achieve your dream. You know, if you want that bicep to pop the way you want to pop, if you need that, you know, 4% body fat, you know, I think we stepped on the stage at maybe, Maybe three. Maybe sub three. You know, that takes. That takes work. But, you know, my dream was to be. My dream is to be an actor, you know, and these roles, especially for my demographic will, frankly, our demographic, they don't come around, you know, and so Elijah Bonham and I, I mean, we were working, you know, to.
Jonathan Majors
To ex.
Bill O'Reilly
Hey, you just. You just use what.
Jonathan Majors
I'm in a little bit of shape. I'm in a little bit of shape. Not just kind of shape, but I'm in a little bit of shape. Let. Let me ask you this.
Stephen A. Smith
Let me ask you this, Jonathan. With all that you've been through and we've already talked about the conviction and what have you in your mind, what did it cost you that highlighted part.
Bill O'Reilly
Of the journey or the film or. I guess the same answer is the same, right? It. I mean, I guess, bro. I mean, it cost me everything, you know, there had to be. There had to be some type of death, right, to become the man that I am now and the man that I'm striving to be, you know, that old. That old me, the old way of thinking, you know, I'm nervous because I know my old way of acting, you know, I mean, my process as an actor, even that. Even that had to die, you know, some. So many things had to be put.
Stephen A. Smith
Explain that. Explain that for me, please.
Jonathan Majors
When you say that old process of.
Stephen A. Smith
Acting, even that had to die, what exactly had to die? What it be specific.
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah, it's a mindset. Like, I was just listening to podcasts and they were talking about Usain Bolt, right? And how when he runs, he's the fastest man in the world when he runs. He's a boy. And he's playful, you know, he's happy about it. I mean, he's still out there to do the thing, you know, but he's playful, you know? And for me, I was so. I was so focused, you know what I mean, on the work and on achieving my goals as an actor. And, you know, yes, I had a great amount of fun, you know, but I was keeping everything and everybody at bay. You know, we would. We didn't work together. We worked together. We weren't in the same scene when we shot, when we did Creed 3 together. Right. Even that picture where I'm. Where I was working with one of my, you know, now one of my closest friends, you know, the process for me, yes, there's method, yes, there's training, yes, there's emotion, yes, there's personal and past and, you know, and imagination. All the trauma. All those things are there, but just the way of being on set, you know, like, I didn't. I had so much fun, but I couldn't. I wasn't connecting to anybody except for between action and cut.
Stephen A. Smith
Is that why you relate so much to this film? Is that why you relate so much to this role in Magazine Dreams? Because that character doesn't really relate.
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah, yeah, this character. This character has a different reason why he can't connect. Right. He's dealing with. Well, I guess we're both dealing with, you know, trauma, but his is. His has affected him in a way that makes him think and move a little bit differently. Right. Glory to God. I don't. I don't have that diagnosis, but. But I do. I do fall into the category, you know, of a severe depression. Yeah, I'm impressive. You know, I'm not claiming that that's just what it is, you know, but to be able to. Yeah, I saw. I saw. I saw that in Killian, you know, I mean, and I. And I. If you spot it, you got it, you know, and I knew it was in myself. So, yes, I felt, oh, I can take on this role because I understand it. But that then led to me understanding it and then now going like, yeah, but that's not. That wasn't good for Killian. And Killian actually metabolizes his trauma throughout the film. And at the end, we see how it goes. You know, Same thing for me in my life, you know, I'm trying to metabolize the things that I Connected to. With him. Right. He got to get it off in the film. Right. I had to do it. I'm having to do it, you know, in real life.
Stephen A. Smith
Strange question. It may be a strange question, but I'm gonna throw it at you anyway. I mean, I had the pleasure of meeting you for the first time. It was in the immediate aftermath of everything that had happened with your court case. And I met Megan as well. And I've always been a fan of us. I ain't gonna lie to you, man. I don't know a black man ain't a fan of Mega Good.
Jonathan Majors
I just don't know. I don't know if. If he exists. I don't know who the hell he is. I don't know a black man that.
Stephen A. Smith
Ain'T a fan of Mega Good. Okay?
Jonathan Majors
It's just. It's just a fact.
Stephen A. Smith
Okay? So congratulations to you again in your nuptials with her. But I want to ask you this question. I want to be very delicate when I ask this question. In all fairness to you. When I saw you, for obvious reasons, you had looked very depressed. The conviction came down within an hour. My day job, you know, because I work for Walt Disney, essentially, it owns espn. They had dropped you, you know, I mean, you were looking forward to, you know, being, you know, the Marvel villain, all right? Kang the Conqueror, for crying out loud. And everything went awry. Did you feel the misery, the depression that you were experiencing based on everything that was revealed, based on everything that you. That you were going through? Did you feel you deserved it? Point question number one. And number two, what did Megan say to you at that moment in time where you were going through those emotions?
Bill O'Reilly
Do I feel like I deserved it?
Stephen A. Smith
I'm only asking that question because you. You talked about reflection and looking at yourself and what you. So I'm talking about what you was feeling.
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah. Yeah. It's us, man. The confusion was definitely there. You know, it doesn't help to compare stats. Right? It doesn't help to. Like, that'll make you miserable. Right. But I got it, you know, I love you, big bro. So I'll keep it a buck. Like. Yeah, I was confused. I was. What you saw what was coming off of me? That sadness, that depression. Yeah. Because, look, you saying that. And I thought I was trying to hold it the best I could, you know? I mean, and apparently I couldn't. You know what I mean? Yeah. So, yeah, so there's. There's that part. So did I feel like I deserved it? I felt like I take what I'M what I was given, you know, I. And I don't complain. You know, I don't complain. And, yeah, I don't complain. And I take all of that, those feelings and. And the events that occurred and the actions that were taken, the verdict or take all of that, the dropping from everything, not just marvel, but from everything. I take all of that and I. I had to metabolize it, you know, and I'm. And I'm happy that I metabolized it, you know, I mean, because I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be the man I am now, you know, looking at you, talking to you, you know, without that. I also wouldn't be here without, you know, Megan, you know, who said, you know, to answer your question, you know, we went back. We were staying in New Jersey at the time, you know, went back home, and I hadn't wept, I hadn't cried. And she just looked at me and she said, God's in it. And I looked at her and I said, yes, he is. But even then, you know, it was a. It was a hallelujah from. From. From my niece, you know, it wasn't, you know, trying to praise in advance. You know, I couldn't see it. I couldn't understand it. But Megan, she. She wouldn't let me fall, you know, I mean, she said, I got you. We got this.
Stephen A. Smith
Would you have fallen without her?
Bill O'Reilly
Glory to God. I would. I don't have to think about that. But I don't know what I would have done. I mean, she. I don't know what I would have done, you know? I mean. Well, you know, we can talk straight, man. Like, she. She brought me out of a. She brought me out of a. She saved my life, man. You know what I mean? Like, and I don't mean that in. In a hyperbole. I mean that in like, heartbeat, consciousness, breath, presence. She kept me on this planet. You know what I mean? When. When it felt like nobody else wanted me here, you know? Nobody. Nobody, bro. Nobody wanted me here. She did. And. And that was enough for me in that moment. And even after the verdict, bang, bang, she kept me here. You know what I mean?
Stephen A. Smith
Yeah, yeah. No, no, take your time. Take your time, man. Take your time. You would have brother talk. You talking to a brother that's rooting for you, my man. You know, I ain't apologizing for that to anybody. You're one of the great ones and, you know, make no mistake about it. And we all. We all make mistakes in the eyes of God. That's just how it goes. Take your time. I want to touch on something that you wanted people. Evidently you wanted people to know about you. You recently uncovered some childhood trauma traumas in therapy, and you revealed that you had been sexually assaulted as a child. Have you worked through that? And when did you start working through that in light of the kind of conversation that we're having right now?
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah, it's been a journey. You know, like I was saying. I was saying to one of your journalistic colleagues earlier that, you know, it was a process, and I first started with. You start with your heart. You know, I started with Megan. You know, I had just come out of a therapy session, and I was really shook up because my therapist had walked me through this thing called limited beliefs. And when I say therapist, I've got, like, I've got. I'm work. I got five. Five support systems that, you know, when I say therapy, except for my pastor, you know, I'm talking about that in general, you know, But I had just come out of a personal therapy session, and he walked me through that, and I landed right on it. And I immediately went into denial. I'm 35 years old and I had never touched it. And I called my sister and, you know, because I was down, you know, I was feeling really activated and really ashamed, like, shame on. Shame on shame. And my sister said to me, you know, I know something happened to you when we were young, and I should have been there, and. And I. And I wasn't. You know, it's like. It's like on the waterfront, you know, you and my big sister, you should have looked after me, you know, And. And when she said that, she said, I know something happened to you, and that's why you're different, you know, she had never said something like that to me before. Oh, yeah, she had never said something like that to me before. And that just made it real, and it made it where I couldn't run from it. I couldn't act my way out of it. I couldn't try to lift a weight and try to get out of my system. She had brought it right to my door. And it's my flesh and blood saying, yeah, this happened to us, you know, this happened to you, you know, and I was there, and you're not crazy. And then from there, you know, once you kind of peel. Peel that back, it became clear that, like, you know, older men in my family, you know, the. The young ladies, you know, who tried it. That wasn't the first. That wasn't the first Go around. You know, the first go around was with, you know, you know, a member of my family, not my immediate family.
Stephen A. Smith
I was getting ready to ask you, who. Who was it that assaulted you? I mean, that's the question that everybody would want to know, knowing that.
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah. I mean, all I can say is that it was a family. It was two family members, right? Yeah, it was two family.
Stephen A. Smith
And how many siblings do you have, by the way? How many siblings do you have?
Bill O'Reilly
Two. Two. Okay.
Jonathan Majors
Are you the youngest?
Stephen A. Smith
Okay. You're the middle? Oh, yeah. The middle always gets lost. The middle always gets lost. The youngest of the babies and the oldest, like, extension of the parents, the bullies and all of that. You know, before I let you go, listen, you. You know, with. With what you've gone through, there's a lot of people who still got a lot of love for you and want to work with you. Michael B. Jordan is one of them. He starred with you and Creed, Whoopi Goldberg on the View. Matthew McConaughey, he starred opposite of you in the film White Boy Rick. I mean, when you hear about the love that they have for you, the admiration they have for you in terms of how you go about, you know, performing your craft or what have you, especially at this moment in time, A, what does it mean to you and B, what does it mean to you now compared to what it meant it would have meant to you years ago?
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah, the guy. The guy. The guy in the past, he was incapable. You mean, of. Of really feeling love, of really connecting, you know, I mean, like, really connecting. The type of connection and love that I experience now, I've. I've never. I said to Megan yesterday, you know, today was the best day of my life. You know, I mean, like. And by the like. And I've done some really cool quote, unquote things, you know, within our. Within. Within the career, within my career, in the industry that we all share. But I just couldn't accept it. You know what I mean? I just. I just couldn't accept it. And now, you know, Whoopi and Mike and McConaughey and, you know, hell, you. You know, to hear the support and to hear the love, it means everything, you know, it's. It's. It's a battery in my back, you know, because those individuals know me, you know, and. And one of the things that, you know, Matthew said, McConaughey said to me is, you know, I believe in you. You know, I mean, they got nothing to do with making movies. You know, Michael B. Jordan is a Friend of mine, you know, he's a friend of mine. We may never step on a set again together.
Stephen A. Smith
I hope he's a good brother. That's a good brother.
Bill O'Reilly
Yeah, that's a. That's a damn good brother. And that's a friend of mine, you know. And Whoopi fed me, you know, I mean, fellas at our house, you know, and we talked and we cried and, and she gave guidance to me. They, they only. Nothing from me. They have their own careers. They have. That was everything, right? And, and, and to be in a place now where I can actually accept community, you know, it feels like I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but presently I know I'm on the right path. As hard as some of these conversations are, as, as hard as, you know, exposing things, you know, about my past, you know, things that are known and things that aren't known, man, I just, I'm just so grateful, you know, I'm just so grateful to them.
Stephen A. Smith
Well, what do you mean you don't know what's gonna happen to the future? You sitting here talking to me. I'm telling you right now, you one.
Jonathan Majors
Of the best actors in the business. What, what do you mean you don't know what's going to happen in the future? I mean, what do you. I mean, what, what, what do you think is going. I mean, you, you sure you don't know?
Bill O'Reilly
Well, I got some ideas, you know, I got some ideas, but, you know, it's God's plan. I know that. My team is pushing like madman, you know, to line everything, you know, for a few things that could happen this year. And I'm excited about those things, you know, but what it looks like, you know, with where I am now, you know, what it feels like, what the work's going to be, you know, I'm really excited to see that, you know. So that part, I don't know, you know, I leave that to God.
Stephen A. Smith
Last question for you. Magazine dreams. What do you want people walking away feeling about this movie? Not just your performance, but you want them to walk away, to take away, to apply to their own life, lives. What would that be?
Bill O'Reilly
Open your heart, you know, as hard as it may be sometimes, open your heart and see the. See the woman and the man next to you, you know, and love them. And chiefly, chiefly look at the person that stares back at you in the mirror and love that person and give them unconditional love. And sometimes it's going to be tough love where you've got to go in there and, and lift the weight, you know, for yourself. Lift, lift your soul up, you know, and finally help each other. Help each other, even if you, even if it's hard, help each other, listen to each other. And let's not throw, let's not throw individuals away, you know, Killing is a man that's been thrown away and he tries to give himself back. And I, I, I can, I can relate to that, too. So.
Stephen A. Smith
Magazine Dreams in theaters March 21. Everybody, be sure to check it out. The one and only Jonathan Majors. All the best to you, my man. I'll see you down the line. You take care of yourself, all right?
Bill O'Reilly
Thanks. See you down the road.
Stephen A. Smith
All right. Give my best to Megan. Congratulations yet again. Congratulations, man.
Bill O'Reilly
You the man.
Stephen A. Smith
And I meant it when I said it, ladies and gentlemen. He is a great actor. He is a great actor. I mean, people talk about the greatness of Denzel Washington, my all time favorite. Love me some Morgan Freeman. I'm a huge Rob. Robert De Niro, Al pacino fan. Matthew McConaughey is fantastic. Tom Hanks is all world otherworldly. It's a whole bunch of people that I absolutely love and marvel at in terms of their talent and ability and abilities as actors and actresses. You know, Anne Hathaway, I love her. Meryl strip. Meryl Streep. I'm sorry, I love her. You know, of course, I mean, it's just so many people. Angela Bassett, I mean, the Queen. The, the, the, the, the, the Queen, okay? But this brother, Jonathan Majors, is a special, special actor that was in route to starting. People were talking about him ultimately being the next Denzel in terms of his cachet because of how much they marveled at his acting ability. And all of it got derailed. Now, to be very, very clear to reiterate to our audience, he was convicted. He was convicted. One count of a misdemeanor third degree assault and one count of second degree harassment of his then ex girlfriend, Grace Jabari. There's no getting around that. None of us were there. We weren't eyewitnesses. He was found guilty, damn it. That means he's guilty, okay? In our court system, that's the way it is. He didn't come on here and say he was innocent. All right, so let's get that out the way first. And then the recent audio tape that a lot of people want to point to, that's where my eyebrow gets raised. Because you see, the guilt has already been established and so has whatever requisite punishment the courts have handed down. And now that he's trying to resurrect his career because, as he articulated, he had lost everything. The week the movie is coming out, this audio tape comes out. That a coincidence? Are we at least allowed to say that's a bit peculiar or weird? Are we at least allowed to do that? Again, this is not absolving him from what he was convicted of. He can't be absolved from what he was convicted of. That stays with him for the rest of his life. He openly admits that. Ain't nobody sitting up there trying to.
Jonathan Majors
Give him a pat on the back.
Stephen A. Smith
For something like that. But in our society.
Jonathan Majors
Once you pay.
Stephen A. Smith
Your penance, you're supposed to be allowed to move on.
Jonathan Majors
And clearly it appears someone.
Stephen A. Smith
Doesn'T want that to happen. And by the way, he's been accused by others, in fairness, because we gonna keep it 100, we gonna keep it a buck here, right? But with this ex girlfriend is where the conviction kicked in. Fair enough. Fair enough. I'm just saying the timing of all of this. How can we hear about this at the trial? The timing of all of it, y'all make that what you will. I hope this movie is successful. I hear I have not seen it yet. I heard his performance was sensational. And I hope everybody gets to move on and live a happy life. Nobody wants to be defined by their worst mistakes. And I'm not planning on judging him that now I might be in the minority. Other people might be about doing that, fine. But he is a sensational actor and I'm looking forward to seeing him in this movie. And I hope that if he is every bit as sensational as I think he is, as others have told me.
Jonathan Majors
He is.
Stephen A. Smith
That he will be recognized for that and be allowed to move forward. That's where I'm coming from with it. That's where I'm coming from with it.
Jonathan Majors
Coming up, beef settled.
Stephen A. Smith
The Breakfast Club is their dirty laundry and settles their differences on air. A rarity. Interesting. Gotta talk about it. We'll get into all of that, plus a little bit more right here. Next when it's the Stephen A. Smith Show. Don't go away.
Jonathan Majors
All right, everybody, listen up.
Stephen A. Smith
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Jonathan Majors
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Stephen A. Smith
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Jonathan Majors
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Bill O'Reilly
Okay, we're rolling.
Stephen A. Smith
One, two, three, four.
Jorge Ham
I'm Jamie Petras, music and culture writer. For the past five years, I've been talking to the band's three surviving members. They're out of prison now and in their 70s, their past behind them. But they also have some unfortunate unfinished business.
Stephen A. Smith
The everyday break Eyes of Love was supposed to have been followed up by another album.
Jorge Ham
It's a story about the liberating power of music, the American justice system, and ultimately, second chances. Listen to Soul incarcerated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jess Hilarious
We supposed to be a team up that not one person, not one person comes to my defense at all. Like, when I'm like, not one mother ever. With this online, like, why should we have to keep playing it, man? Listen, I know one thing, Angela. You ain't that crazy. Not. Not as crazy it is. Try to make out to be. Nah, that's the reason that lady wanted to leave that show. I don't know how she did that for 13 years. I'm telling you, I don't give a. Y'all already know what's up with me. I feel played with. I'ma play with. Like, that's just like. Come on. I've been quiet a lot. If Jess hilarious is quiet. It's a mother reason. I always got my mother mouth open all the time. How about y'all clear some of this up for y'all teammate? This is ran like a high school. Yeah, yeah, it's ran like a high School. It is Fair east side High. Fair east side High. Before Mr. Clark, though, like, when he first got there. Y'all want a to keep her cool? Look, check this out, y'all. Look, man, I get up every day, every day, and they always talk about.
Bill O'Reilly
You ain't at work.
Jess Hilarious
You ain't at work. Yeah, I started picking up more shows. Hell no. That's how I'm getting. Hell no. Hell no. I have more fun outside the studio than I have in there now. Is you crazy?
Stephen A. Smith
Good Lord. Welcome back to Stephen A. Smith show. What you just saw was a post from Jess Hilarious. Yesterday. Jess Hilarious of the Breakfast Club, who responded to chatter from critics about her role on the show. The crux of the issue emanated from comedian Corey Holcomb, who said her fill in, Lauren LaRosa was a better talent than just herself. That promoted the post yesterday for just Hilarious. Well, today the team got together and discussed the matter live on the show. Okay, look, I saw the response. We didn't get permission from the Breakfast Club to air it, but I saw the back and forth to back and forth, and, you know, Jess definitely was making her feelings known. Had the pleasure of meeting Jess before she's been a guest on this show in studio, and we really enjoyed it. She was fun, smart, the whole bit, and we wish her nothing but the best. Charlemagne and I are pretty cool. I talk to him periodically. The brother's done a phenomenal job with his career, his life, and what he's done with the Breakfast Club and beyond. And he's a voice that we hear a lot, particularly in the African American community. And quite frankly, we should, because he's an independent thinker, and I'm all for that. I go way back with DJ Envy. Got mad love for him. Always have, always will. And I really, really appreciated what he said to Jessica when they want a Breakfast Club. This morning when he was talking about, hey, you come to us, you know, we could have this conversation rather than you. He used the word corny. That she would go on social media to express herself about the show. Her teammates, DJ Envy and Charlemagne the God evidently, the way that she did. And he somewhat called her out on it, and she was alluding to the perceptions that have been put out there, or not alluding to it, but flat out stating it and how she felt about it. But he made a point, just respectfully, that needed to be made. That ain't necessarily how you handle it. Critics are going to be critics. Hell, I'm a critic. I get paid to be a critic. It just so happens that I'm an informed one because I've been a journalist for decades, and most of the things that I critique involve a sport that I cover, although not always. I wanted to take this moment to say this to Jess. Hilarious. I thought DJ Envy was right with the point that he pointed out about how it should have been handled. But I want to say the bigger point that he was making is he didn't give a damn about what people got to say about him on social media. That's what I want to talk to you about. Jess, you are a talent. It doesn't matter whether somebody is better or worse. The point is, is that you're in the game. You're in a seat that most people ain't in. And if it ain't the Breakfast Club, because of your time on the Breakfast Club, you're going to be in another seat and another seat and another seat, because these opportunities don't come everybody's way. There's a select few that are fortunate and lucky and blessed enough to achieve what you've achieved. To react the way that you did.
Jonathan Majors
Provides fodder for those whose sole purpose.
Stephen A. Smith
Is to knock you off a pedestal. You are clearly on, and they are not.
Jonathan Majors
I'm not talking about Corey. I'm not talking about anyone specific.
Stephen A. Smith
I'm just talking about in general, when.
Jonathan Majors
Cats come at you, no matter who they are, because of a platform that.
Stephen A. Smith
You are under, first of all, they're entitled to their opinion. You could have the largest ratings in the world. Still not the case that every single body is watching you and every single person is a fan.
Jonathan Majors
I've had the number one sports morning.
Stephen A. Smith
Show in America for 13 straight years. Everybody don't like it. Everybody's not watching it. I get critics every day. So does Charlemagne. So does DJ Envy.
Jonathan Majors
So does everybody. Everybody got critics. You know why? Because everybody got a voice.
Stephen A. Smith
And some people are legitimate critics. Other people try to legitimize themselves simply by getting clicks. And if that click, if those clicks come courtesy of throwing you down the river, they will not hesitate.
Jonathan Majors
And when I saw you say what.
Stephen A. Smith
You said and exhale and get this stuff off your chest the way that you did, all I could find myself thinking was, damn, she's playing right into their hands.
Jonathan Majors
And that's not to say that all of us haven't been guilty of that.
Stephen A. Smith
At some point in time or another.
Jonathan Majors
I have.
Stephen A. Smith
So has Charlamagne.
Jonathan Majors
So has DJ Envy.
Stephen A. Smith
Nobody's perfect.
Jonathan Majors
But you got to remember that cats.
Stephen A. Smith
Are coming to take you down. They want to hurt you. They don't like the perk that you sit the perch that you sitting on. They don't like the success that you enjoying.
Jonathan Majors
They don't like it. Some love it, some don't.
Stephen A. Smith
But when it comes to your teammates, and this is the hardest part, when it comes to your teammates, I believe Charlamagne and DJ Envy are rooting for you. Your success is their success. Everybody benefits from it. But even in the event, let's just say for the sake of argument that that wasn't the case, you still need to support each other as teammates. Public it ain't over till it's over. Too young to notice, in all likelihood. But Red Holtzman, former head coach for the New York Knicks, coach when they won the championship in 1973, used to come up with this line. They your teammates until they not. They your problem until they not. While you on the same squad, you ride together come hella high water. There are rare, rare, rare exceptions to that rule, because even when the rule is legitimately broken, you still end up looking bad if you go at your teammates while they're your teammates. So that's just a little advice. And the reason I'm giving it is because I'm a fan of Jess. Hilarious. I think she's talented. I think she's authentic. I think she's real with what she feels, and I applaud that. It's just that every truth ain't meant to be told at the time it's being told. Sometimes it's a different time that's better than the time you chose. You just got to remember that, because here's the truth that nobody echoed to you from the segment that I was watching. It wasn't just DJ envy speaking in terms of saying it could have been handled better. It's bosses everywhere that will have a hold of that clip and could potentially say, is this how she'll talk about us if we make her unhappy? Will she go public and do that? Sometimes it's disciplining yourself enough to swallow like you said you would swallow. You keep your mouth shut like you said you did. You was quiet and quiet and quiet because you. Until you couldn't take anymore. Explode in private next time. See where that gets you. Not saying that you did or didn't, because I don't know, but I suspect you didn't. I'm not talking about speaking private. I said explode in private. Exhale. Let it all out. Then make sure you exhaust every means and measure before you do what you did publicly. That's the only advice I have because I want you to succeed. That's the only reason I'm giving it. It's the only reason I'm giving it. I wish you nothing but the best with your Breakfast Club. Nothing but the best. It's a fantastic show. It's doing us all the justice with the work that they do. I'm a fan of the show. I've been a guest on the show before. Number love for all of y'all. I hope everybody moves past this and better times are ahead. I got to get on out of here, y'all. Until next time, it's Stephen A. Signing off. Peace of love. Talk to y'all later.
Jonathan Majors
Bye Bye.
Jorge Ham
Have you ever wondered, if your pet is lying to you, why is my cat not here and I go in and she's eating my lunch? Or if hypnotism is real, you will use the suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. But what's inside A black hole? Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe. Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff. Join me or hitcham as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Jonathan Majors
What's up, y'all? I'm A.J. andrews, pro softball player, sports analyst, and the first woman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove on my new podcast, Dropping Diamond. We dive headfirst into the world of softball by sharing powerful stories, insights and conversations that inspire and empower. It's time to drop bombs and diamonds. Dropping diamonds with AJ Andrews is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League and Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. Listen to dropping diamonds with AJ Andrews on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.
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.
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])
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])
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])
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.