The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode: Hakeem Jeffries Joins Stephen A. to Talk Government Shutdown!
Date: October 9, 2025
Platform: SiriusXM Radio POTUS, Channel 124

Episode Overview

This edition of Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith goes beyond sports, diving headfirst into the ongoing government shutdown, the critical debate over health care, political polarization, and the realities facing everyday Americans. Stephen A. brings his signature realness—sharp, emotional, and unfiltered—to a hot conversation with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, listener calls, and no-holds-barred commentary on politicians from both parties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown Crisis

• Day 8 of the Shutdown:
  Stephen A. opens with frustration over the government’s inability to avoid a shutdown affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers with furloughs or terminations.

  “It's day eight of this government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of people have either been or will be furloughed, if not flat out fired... and for what exactly? Because folks on Capitol Hill can't come to some kind of accord and get their act together.” (01:55)

• Health Care Subsidies – The Core Battle:
  The central sticking point is health insurance subsidies in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats want to maintain higher federal subsidies; Republicans argue against what they call “unsustainable government spending” and want cuts to Medicaid/Medicare.

• Rhetoric & Blame:
  Stephen A. refuses to absolve either side but frames the shutdown as unnecessary, preventable, and devastating for average Americans.

  "There's a legitimate argument that could be made that this could have been resolved months ago, that a shutdown could have been avoided, that it was never necessary." (08:03)

2. Notable Political Soundbites

• Marjorie Taylor Greene on Health Costs:
  Greene breaks with her party, pushing Republicans to take the moral high ground on health insurance costs.

  "Health insurance premiums are out of control... I don't think Democrats should be the one owning this issue because they want socialized health care... However, the reality is many Americans... are paying $2,000 a month... and many of them aren't even using their health insurance. They're just having to pay this payment, and it's unforgivable." (05:40)

• Chuck Schumer’s Rare Agreement with Greene:

  “I think this is the first time I said this, but on this issue, Representative Greene said it perfectly... Republicans can't sit by and do nothing while American families pay thousands more out of pocket for health care.” (07:33)

3. Interview with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

(Begins at 14:57)

Where Things Stand

• Jeffries expresses willingness for bipartisan negotiation, blaming the House Republican majority for stalling.

  “We will sit down anytime, any place, with anyone... to reopen the government... and do it in a bipartisan way.” (15:19)

“Republican Health Care Crisis”?

• Jeffries justifies this label by listing five grievances about recent GOP legislation:

  1. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history.
  2. $536 billion cut to Medicare.
  3. Refusal to extend ACA tax credits, spiking premiums.
  4. Closures of hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics.
  5. Cuts to the CDC and NIH, ending medical research. (16:19)

• Jeffries insists cuts harm both red and blue states.

  "This is not a Republican issue or Democratic issue. It affects people all across the country." (18:25)

On Partisan Blame & Negotiations

• Smith pushes Jeffries on whether Democrats share blame, given previous CR (Continuing Resolution) support.

  • Jeffries contends it’s GOP obstruction—refusing to negotiate, cancelling votes, and being "on vacation."

    “Not a single Democrat on vacation. We were here last week, and we're here this week.” (20:19)
    “Republicans are on vacation, literally spread out throughout the country and the rest of the world. They need to get back to work...” (27:01)

• Jeffries is clear on not backing down over ACA tax credits, equating GOP intransigence with giving priority to billionaire tax cuts over working-class needs.

Immigration & Health Care

• Jeffries flatly denies that Democrats are pushing health benefits for undocumented immigrants.

  "That's a stone cold lie. And Republicans know it, because federal law is very clear. Taxpayer dollars cannot be used for Medicare, for Medicaid, for the Affordable Care Act, in terms of providing services to undocumented immigrants." (33:01)

On Political Violence & National Guard Deployments

• Jeffries condemns both Trump’s deployment of troops to cities over objections of governors and all political violence.
  • He also criticizes the GOP for cutting $500 million in local law enforcement grants.

    “One of the problems... with the current partisan Republican spending bill, is it actually cuts $500 million in grants to local law enforcement. One of the things we've said... is restore those grants.” (35:00)

4. Stephen A.’s Commentary & Listener Calls

Fair Critique of Both Parties

• Smith consistently critiques both sides:

  "We're not going to be like pundits, refusing to highlight the positive, always focusing on a negative when it comes to a candidate we can't stand... I don't have time for that." (40:03)

• Takes Democrats to task for relying on internal power structures (“it's always somebody's turn”) and for political miscalculations.

• Takes Republicans to task for “fawning” over Trump and failing to act independently:

  “The president is in there now with the bully pulpit and not only got the Republicans doing his every bidding... It’s embarrassing.” (61:26)

On Political Rhetoric and Polarization

• Reiterates that representatives should be transactional, not performative, and focus on getting things done for constituents—singling out both Representative Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene for their media antics. (43:20+)

Economic Realities for Americans

• Stephen A. underscores that personal financial pain outweighs official economic numbers.

  “What you care about is the fact that it costs you damn near $5 a gallon in LA... That's kind of thing that make you want to relocate.” (40:54)

Super Bowl & Bad Bunny – Detachment from American Culture?

• Critiques Speaker Mike Johnson's comments on Bad Bunny being selected for the Super Bowl halftime and his preference for Lee Greenwood.

  “Lee Greenwood is at 447,789 [Spotify listeners]. Bad Bunny is at 79,814,480... What are you talking about?” (55:36)

  • Raises the issue of xenophobia and cultural ignorance.

5. Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen A. Smith on calling out both sides:

  “You gotta have somebody in position that ain't playing games... It's about making sure American citizens don't suffer because you promise to be an American president, you promise to be the president of the United States of America to all, not just to those who support you.” (70:00)

• Stephen A., on economic statistics vs. daily life:

  “How do you argue against [positive macroeconomic numbers]? ...The American people view their economic circumstances through what they are paying for their day to day... That's not a good economy, that's a bad economy.” (31:07)

6. Listener Perspectives

• Brenna (South Carolina), federal worker:
  Feels Democrats are more to blame for the shutdown and highlights the unfairness of politicians still getting paid while federal workers go without.

• Several callers question data, challenge Stephen A. on his facts—calls that Stephen A. welcomes, double-checks, and corrects if necessary, reinforcing his commitment to accountability.

• Paul (Georgia), on divisive rhetoric:
  Disgusted by Rep. Greene’s suggestion that Dems and GOP just “go live somewhere else,” and by the lack of cross-party collaboration.

7. Breaking News: Gaza Peace Deal

• During the episode, breaking news hits: President Trump announces the first phase of a peace plan signed by Israel and Hamas, with the release of hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops.
• Stephen A. offers pragmatic praise:

  “Props to the President... That's a big, big deal. And of course, you're going to have people clamoring for him to get the Nobel Peace Prize... What I care about is peace and prosperity.” (84:49+)

Notable Section Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |---|---| | Stephen A. opening monologue & the shutdown | 00:41 – 14:57 | | Rep. Hakeem Jeffries interview | 14:57 – 36:52 | | Stephen A. caller interactions & reactions | 46:42 – 81:08+ | | Listener Brenna (Federal Worker)/shutdown blame | 47:32 | | Speaker Johnson, Bad Bunny halftime controversy | 52:08 – 56:55 | | Gaza peace deal breaking news | 77:49 – 84:49 | | Stephen A.’s closing thoughts | 86:00 – end |

Conclusion

This episode of Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith is a masterclass in emotional, urgent, and bipartisan political commentary. It provides a frontline look at the government shutdown, exposes the human stakes in the health care debate, and gives voice to both leadership and ordinary Americans. Stephen A. repeatedly brings the conversation back to accountability—demanding more from both parties, lambasting performative politicians, and emphasizing that statistics mean less than the lived struggles of ordinary people. In an environment marked by division and distrust, the show delivers hard truths, sharp takes, plus a little humility and humor along the way.

Memorable Quote:

“I'm an extension of you. I'm like the damn umbilical cord that you put out front and center... I'm so sick of this stuff that we find ourselves dealing with these issues that could have easily been resolved if you went to work. Didn't they have a recess, a vacation in August?... The hell you doing going on a vacation when a shutdown for the government is looming?” – Stephen A. Smith (09:25)

For listeners wanting a mix of fire, facts, and real talk on American politics, it’s Stephen A. as you’ve never heard him: blunt, bipartisan, and always aimed at the heart of the matter.