The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary

Episode Date: October 16, 2025
Main Theme:
Stephen A. Smith dives into the government shutdown, the controversy surrounding Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and his own critique, interviews with Texas Rep. Chip Roy and Minnesota Senate candidate Royce White, plus analysis from CBS News’ Robert Costa. The episode centers on sharp, unfiltered political commentary, bipartisan criticism, and honest reflection on the state of American government, media, and political discourse.

Episode Overview

Stephen A. Smith addresses the week's biggest political stories, starting with intense backlash he’s received for questioning Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s rhetoric. He then discusses the ongoing government shutdown, healthcare debates, party divisions, and rising progressive movements. Unafraid to critique both Democrats and Republicans, Stephen A. spotlights conversations with key political figures and engages in forthright, often passionate, exchanges about the direction of the country.

Sections and Key Discussions

1. Stephen A. Smith Addresses Jasmine Crockett Controversy

[00:18–20:35]

• Stephen A. defends his critique of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, refuting accusations of misogyny and disrespect.
  • Emphasizes that his critiques transcend party lines and demographics.
  • Rebuts claims of targeting black women: “I have a history of being critical of everybody. And also being complimentary of everybody. When you deserve the compliment, I'll give it to you. When you don't, I won't.” ([01:48], Stephen A. Smith)
  • Rejects association with the Democratic Party: “Who the hell told you I was a part of your party? Who told you I vibe with you? Have you not been listening? I don't like none of yalls.” ([02:29], Stephen A. Smith)
• Clarifies his question to Crockett:
  • Was asking if calling the President a “piece of shit” helps her constituents or electoral chances.
• Pushback on political tribalism:
  • Rails against both Republican and Democratic dysfunction.
  • Critiques Capitol Hill for “criminal” division and lack of principle.
• Calls out media and podcast critics, including references to opinions from Charlamagne tha God, Bakari Sellers, and Tamika Mallory, reading and responding to their statements.

2. Media Reactions and Public Critique

[12:40–20:35]

• Charlamagne tha God supports critique but says Stephen A. focused too much on Crockett’s “style” over policy ([13:10]).
  • “No elected official is above critique... but you got to criticize their policy” ([12:40], Charlamagne tha God).
  • “If you’re criticizing her for the way she talks but not Trump, you buggin’” ([13:10], Charlamagne tha God).
• Stephen A. responds: “I respectfully disagree. I'm not bugging because I wasn't talking about Trump directly. I'm talking about the representatives... who you know are at his mercy.” ([13:39], Stephen A. Smith)
• Bakari Sellers’ criticism: Suggests Stephen A. is a “charlatan” lacking depth in policy ([14:40]).
  • Stephen A. scorches Sellers: “...so judgmental of other people that he is allergic to mirrors... Why don’t you teach us?” ([15:20–17:32], Stephen A. Smith)
• On identity and representation: Emphasizes family connections to rebut claims of misogyny, refusing to be drawn into “LD energy” or personal attacks.

3. Interview: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)

[21:30–46:21]

Government Shutdown, ACA, and Partisan Blame

• Roy blames Democrats for prolonging the shutdown, insisting Republicans passed a “clean bill” ([21:54], Roy).
• Critiques ACA subsidies: Argues enhanced subsidies during COVID benefit wealthy Americans and insurance companies while costing taxpayers:
  • "People, you got families, friends, $25,000 a year we currently spend on health insurance to be told we can't go to the doctor we want..." ([23:35], Chip Roy).
• Roy on political posturing:
  • “I think this is a political play... to get leverage heading into and vault into the election season” ([25:05], Roy).
• Roy on healthcare realities:
  • Describes the broken system, the problem of government mandates, and red state reliance on ACA out of necessity:
  • “We've broken the system such that we've got individuals who are now reliant on these subsidies and it's creating this infinite do loop...” ([31:04], Roy).
• Personal story:
  • Reveals he’s a cancer survivor and describes ACA’s failure to provide access to top hospitals:
  • “Guess what? I can't go there now, MD Anderson is no longer on the Obamacare plan. That's a problem.” ([32:01], Roy)

Border vs. ACA – Which is Worse?

• Unable to choose, but leans toward open borders as even more damaging, citing Texas border crises, fentanyl deaths, and “the system being overwhelmed” ([34:06], Roy).

Bipartisanship and Solutions

• Admits to working with Democrats on banning Congressional stock trading ([38:32], Roy).
• Asserts that “healthcare is the toughest nut” but open to discussing market-driven reforms.

Shutdown Solution & On Politicians’ Pay

• Roy calls for five more Senate Democrats to end the shutdown.
• Personally declined his salary during the shutdown: "I will not take pay until the shutdown is over..." ([42:09], Roy).

Rising Extremism in GOP

• Addresses recent racist and antisemitic statements by young Republicans. Strongly disavows hate:
  • “There's no place for that kind of stuff from my standpoint. Not even from my standpoint, there's no place for that.” ([44:08], Roy)
  • Stresses his focus on faith, freedom, and service.

4. Royce White: From NBA to GOP Senate Candidate

[50:10–73:39]

Shutdown and Government Critique

• White blames broad government corruption and supports shrinking the bureaucracy, regardless of which party is in power.
  • “We want to shrink the government as best as we can. We want to deconstruct the administrative state.” ([51:26], Royce White)

Party Divisions and Progressive Growth

• Sees turmoil in the Democratic Party—“the progressive left is very loud, very aggressive, and they have a lot of young, rising talent” ([54:01], White).
• Warns the progressive movement is growing (“one out of every three women 18 to 28 identify as LGBTQ”) and calls the movement “radical” ([55:31], White).

On Racial Divides and MAGA Identity

• Takes a nuanced view of MAGA, distancing from “racial animus” in party fringes and calling for focus on fighting global technocratic elites rather than “WWE” racial hype ([62:01], White).
• Offers rare criticism of MAGA: mishandling of Epstein files, silencing critics of Israel.

Outsiders in Politics and Black Political Loyalty

• Defends voices like Stephen A. joining political conversation, attacks elitism:
  • “For them to say we don’t need outsiders is a concession that the D.C. political elite... is just fine.” ([66:24], White)
• Discusses the lack of accountability for Democratic control of urban centers, arguing Black voters should apply “result orientation” seen in sports to politics ([68:22], White).

Respectful Disagreement & Growth

• Admits to previously criticizing Stephen A., but values honest, in-community critique:
  • “We need more Stephen A. Smiths. We need more black men that are willing to be honest about what's going on...” ([71:06], White)
• Applauds Stephen A. for open engagement; Stephen A. reciprocates respect, pledging to keep the dialogue open.

5. CBS News’ Robert Costa: Analysis on Shutdown, Epstein Files, Party Dynamics

[74:03–92:35]

Why the Shutdown Drags On

• Both parties see a political edge: “Because both parties are winning by having the standoff” ([74:46], Costa).
• Dems push health care; GOP resists.

Sticking Points Beyond ACA

• Medicaid cuts also highly contentious ([74:55], Costa).

Epstein Files & Political Timing

• Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva’s delayed swearing-in linked to a push to release Epstein files, with Dems and some GOP voices demanding transparency ([75:50], Costa).
• On why Dems didn’t push for files earlier: “Everything’s timing in context... they were focused on other things...” ([77:32], Costa).

Trump’s Control Over GOP

• “Now, the only test that matters... is loyalty [to Trump].” ([78:32], Costa)
• “You can’t win a primary... unless you have the imprimatur of President Donald Trump.” ([78:52], Costa)
• Trump’s executive power viewed as redefining the presidency: “He’s a movement.” ([80:57], Costa)

Democratic Party Infighting: Progressives on the Rise

• New York’s Zoran Mamdani seen as a potential “hammer to the system” ([84:35], Costa).
• Centrist vs. progressive Democratic candidates in key states signal a looming party identity crisis.

2026 Senate Race & Shifting Coalitions

• White’s commentary about outsiders echoes a broader desire for political change.

On Gaza Peace Deal’s Political Impact

• Trump frames himself as peacemaker.
  • “President Trump’s confident he did something historic. He’s on the cover of Time magazine…” ([86:35], Costa)
• Warns that situation is fluid; credits Trump with shifting US politics to a more executive-centric era.

Culture Wars, Identity, and Public Debate

• On the Jasmine Crockett affair: “He’s playing by his own set of rules… outsiders get tested every day.” ([91:13], Costa)

6. Final Thoughts and Listener Q&A

[93:31–end]

• Stephen A. responds to tweets about third-party prospects, compromise, and political polarization.
  • “Keep an open mind and listen to somebody else. And if they have a better idea, hey, it’s better for America, I’ll take that.” ([94:20], Stephen A. Smith)
  • “All compromise isn’t bad because everybody doesn’t have the same wants and needs.” ([94:43], Stephen A. Smith)
• Bemoans the “gloom and doom” from both sides, calls for a forward-thinking, unified vision.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On criticism and respect:
  • “When you deserve the compliment, I'll give it to you. When you don't, I won't.” ([01:48], Stephen A. Smith)
• On political independence:
  • “I'm a centrist. I'm Stephen A. I'm not married to either side, don't like either of them.” ([07:33], Stephen A. Smith)
• Chip Roy on healthcare lobby:
  • “Insurance companies in the healthcare industry spend three quarters of a billion dollars, Stephen, on lobbying. That’s six times more than the defense industry.” ([23:35], Roy)
• Royce White on MAGA and elites:
  • “Our support of President Trump is the acknowledgment that in this moment, in this nation's darkest hour, he was willing to stand up against the forces...that have brought this country to our knees.” ([60:23], Royce White)
• Robert Costa on Trump’s GOP influence:
  • “The only test that matters in this moment in Washington: loyalty.” ([78:32], Costa)
• On need for outsider voices:
  • “For them to say that we don’t need outsiders is a concession that the D.C. political elite... is just fine.” ([66:24], Royce White)

Memorable Moments

• Stephen A.’s unapologetic, energetic, and deeply personal defense against critics who accuse him of betraying his community or being disrespectful ([00:55–02:41]).
• The frank exchange about the MAGA movement’s complicated relationship with race, the Republican establishment, and America’s political structures ([57:41–62:01]).
• Costa’s detailed breakdown of the coming intraparty Democratic battle between traditional centrists and an energized progressive wing ([83:58–85:43]).

Timestamps for Top Segments

• Jasmine Crockett controversy & Stephen A.'s defense: [00:18–20:35]
• Chip Roy interview – shutdown, healthcare, partisanship: [21:30–46:21]
• Royce White interview – shutdown, MAGA, race & politics: [50:10–73:39]
• Robert Costa analysis – shutdown, Epstein files, party control: [74:03–92:35]
• Final Q&A, third party talk, hope for unity: [93:31–end]

Conclusion

This episode showcases Stephen A. Smith’s bold transition "beyond sports," bringing his signature candor to hard-hitting political debates and cultural discourse. With adversarial—but respectful—exchanges and in-depth interviews, the episode delivers a nuanced, engaging exploration of America’s political divisions, the search for honest leadership, the dangers of party purity, and hope for more open, rational debate. Fans of spirited, nuanced conversation—regardless of allegiance—will find this a must-listen.