Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Interview Only: Fox News Host Will Cain and Black Star Network's Roland Martin breaks down Trump vs Musk, and how it impacts American citizens. Release Date: June 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith engages in a compelling discussion with two prominent figures from differing political spectrums: Will Cain, a conservative host from Fox News, and Roland Martin, a liberal commentator from Black Star Network. The primary focus of their conversation revolves around the escalating feud between former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, exploring its ramifications for the Republican Party, American society, and the broader political landscape.

The Trump vs. Elon Musk Feud

Stephen A. Smith initiates the conversation by addressing the recent tensions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, referencing a previous segment where Will Cain detailed the timeline of their dispute.

Will Cain's Perspective

Will Cain asserts that the feud is detrimental not only to the Republican Party but to the United States as a whole.

• Impact on the Republican Party and America:

  "There’s no doubt that it’s bad. This is not just bad for the Republican Party, STEPHEN A. This is bad for America." [02:43]

  Cain emphasizes that the discord between Trump and Musk undermines the nation's stability, noting that both are influential figures whose clash could have widespread negative consequences.

• Substance of the Feud:

  "Elon doesn’t like the big beautiful Bill... He knows we can’t continue to run these kind of deficits over 6%, 7% of GDP year over year. It’s unsustainable, $36 trillion in debt." [04:04]

  Cain explains that Musk's frustration stems from his attempts to address the U.S. government's financial mismanagement, which clashed with the political complexities of passing fiscal reforms in a democracy.

• Style and Personality Clashes:

  "Musk has a grand vision. I think that he is a different kind of dude... Donald Trump is perfectly willing to share the stage." [04:04 - 07:23]

  He highlights the contrasting personalities and leadership styles of Musk and Trump, suggesting that their inability to collaborate stems from deep-seated differences in approach and vision.

Stephen A. Smith's Inquiries

Stephen delves deeper, asking Cain to elucidate the specific reasons behind Musk's abrasive stance toward Trump.

"Yesterday on your show, you broke down the timeline of the heated feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, saying, 'this is not a story that we wanted today for America.' Is this good or bad for the Republican Party, in your estimation?" [01:40]

Potential for Reconciliation

Despite the tensions, Will Cain remains optimistic about the possibility of reconciliation between Trump and Musk.

"He’s actually forgiving. He actually moves beyond. He doesn’t hold grudges... I wouldn’t put it beyond the realm of possibility that we could see a beautiful big reunion for Musk and Trump." [14:02 - 28:07]

Cain believes that Trump's nature allows for forgiveness and potential mending of the strained relationship, envisioning a future where both leaders could collaborate once more.

Steve Bannon's Call to Deport Elon Musk

A significant moment in the discussion arises when Stephen brings up Steve Bannon's controversial statement calling for Musk's deportation.

"He (Steve Bannon) basically called for Elon Musk to be deported. He said, 'they should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien and he should be deported from the country immediately.'" [20:04]

Roland Martin confronts the baseless nature of this claim, clarifying Musk's citizenship status and criticizing Bannon's remarks.

"Elon Musk is a naturalized US citizen. He became a citizen in 2002... Deportation of a naturalized citizen is extremely rare." [21:19]

Martin further condemns the misuse of political power to target citizens without merit, highlighting the absurdity and potential legal repercussions of such statements.

Impact on the 2026 Midterms

The conversation shifts towards the potential implications of the Trump-Musk feud on future elections, particularly the 2026 Midterms.

Will Cain's Analysis

Cain assesses that while Musk holds substantial financial influence, it may not significantly threaten Trump’s standing.

• Republican Resilience:

  "I'm not concerned about that... Donald Trump would have trounced Kamala Harris without Elon Musk." [16:29]

• Democratic Opportunities:

  "If he (Musk) starts saying how this is going to increase the national debt, yeah, it can be problematic." [56:54]

Cain suggests that Democrats can leverage the ongoing feud by highlighting Republican vulnerabilities, especially concerning fiscal policies and economic management.

Roland Martin's Insights

Martin provides a broader perspective on the political dynamics, emphasizing the importance of policy over personality.

"Democrats should be doing that [educating the public on the bill]." [38:26]

He advocates for Democrats to capitalize on the discord by presenting clear, impactful policies that address the needs of everyday Americans, thereby gaining favor in upcoming elections.

The Big Beautiful Bill: A Point of Contention

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the controversial Big Beautiful Bill, a legislative package championed by the Trump administration aimed at government efficiency and deficit reduction.

Roland Martin's Critique

Martin dismantles the bill's purported benefits, highlighting its regressive impact on the poor and its favoring of the wealthy.

• Impact on Vulnerable Populations:

  "The people that will be hurt are the poorest... cuts to SNAP benefits, cuts to $880 billion to Medicaid." [35:18]

• Inadequate Deficit Reduction:

  "Trimming the deficits requires growing the economy and cutting taxes, which is not the approach Musk advocates." [25:14]

He underscores the bill's failures in addressing systemic economic disparities and the disproportionate burden it places on marginalized communities.

Will Cain's Defense

Cain argues that while the bill may not meet Musk's stringent demands, it represents a realistic approach to fiscal policy within the constraints of a democratic system.

"Donald Trump makes deals... Elon Musk doesn't like the deal." [04:04]

He contends that the messy process of legislative compromise is a necessary aspect of governance, even if it doesn't fully satisfy all stakeholders.

Media Portrayal and Public Perception

The hosts discuss the role of media in shaping public perception of political figures and events.

• Roland Martin on Media Creation of Trump:

  "Donald Trump is a media creation. You can't find any other person that the media has elevated in that way who I believe can do what he has done in running for the Oval Office." [54:56]

Martin critiques the media's role in constructing Trump's public persona, suggesting that Trump's rise was significantly aided by media portrayal rather than traditional political pathways.

• Will Cain on Media Bias:

  "The media has created such a caricature of Donald Trump." [15:46]

Cain echoes concerns about biased media representations, emphasizing the need for unbiased reporting to accurately inform the public.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Stephen A. Smith expressing appreciation for his guests' insights, highlighting the complexity of the Trump-Musk feud and its broader implications for American politics. Both Will Cain and Roland Martin reinforce the importance of informed, policy-driven discourse to navigate the nation's political challenges effectively.

• Final Thoughts from Roland Martin:

  "It will benefit Democrats if Musk starts exposing the negatives of the bill... This bill could very well die." [56:54]

Martin emphasizes the potential for Democrats to leverage the situation to their advantage by educating the public and applying pressure on Republicans to reconsider the contentious legislative measures.

Notable Quotes Overview

• "This is bad for America." — Will Cain [02:43]
• "Elon is a genius... but he’s quirky and used to getting things done through his singular vision." — Will Cain [04:04]
• "Donald Trump is a media creation." — Roland Martin [54:56]
• "People are raised... The American presidency is not just about how you can make decisions..." — Roland Martin [48:47]

Key Takeaways

• The feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk poses significant challenges for the Republican Party and the broader American socio-political landscape.
• Media portrayal plays a crucial role in shaping the public's perception of political figures, potentially influencing electoral outcomes.
• Legislative efforts like the Big Beautiful Bill are subject to intense scrutiny regarding their impact on different socio-economic groups.
• Upcoming elections present opportunities for both parties to capitalize on current political tensions and public sentiments.

This episode provides a nuanced exploration of the intersecting dynamics between high-profile political actors and their influence on national governance and public opinion.