Summary of The Stephen A. Smith Show: Presidential Election Recap with Bill O’Reilly

Release Date: November 30, 2024

In this insightful episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith sits down with former Fox News host and renowned media personality Bill O’Reilly to dissect the outcomes of the recent presidential election. The discussion delves deep into the reasons behind the Democrats' defeat, analyzing economic factors, candidate performances, and demographic shifts that influenced voter behavior.

1. Introduction and Election Shock

Stephen A. Smith opens the conversation by expressing his surprise at the election results, despite having publicly supported Kamala Harris. He states:

“[02:02] Stephen A. Smith: The results are what they are. I am shocked that it was a romp. I expected Trump to win even though I voted for Kamala Harris. I'm on the record saying that, but it was a romp.”

Bill O’Reilly concurs, highlighting the widespread voter dissatisfaction with the current administration.

2. Economic Discontent as a Primary Driver

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the economic struggles faced by the American populace. O’Reilly attributes Trump's victory to the economic hardships experienced under President Biden:

“[02:26] Bill O’Reilly: Because people are suffering economically. The working people, the non ideologues... purchasing power for workers declined dramatically, almost 9% in three and a half years.”

He emphasizes that while inflation metrics may show improvement, the real-world impact on everyday Americans remains severe:

“[04:00] Bill O’Reilly: When inflation comes down, it doesn't mean prices come down. It means that inflation doesn't grow as much. So the American worker, the average guy and gal, is paying 20% more for the essentials alive.”

O’Reilly criticizes the Biden administration's handling of the economy, particularly the regulations on the fossil fuel industry, which he believes have kept essential costs high. In contrast, he praises Trump's deregulation efforts, suggesting they resonated strongly with voters aiming to alleviate financial pressures.

3. Critique of Kamala Harris’s Campaign Strategy

O’Reilly offers a scathing critique of Kamala Harris's campaign, focusing on her lack of a concrete economic plan and poor performance during interviews:

“[05:33] Bill O’Reilly: Kamala Harris made one enormous mistake. She didn't answer any questions... she didn't have enough confidence in her own abilities to articulate problem solving, fell back on memorization.”

Stephen A. Smith expands on this by pointing out Harris's unchallenged rise to the nomination:

“[05:33] Stephen A. Smith: She didn't have to you know, she didn't go through a primary... those are the kind of things that I was hearing leading up to the election. What say you to all of that?”

O’Reilly responds by emphasizing Harris's rehearsed and insubstantial responses:

“[07:12] Bill O’Reilly: She didn’t have an emotional attachment to the vice president... there was no emotional attachment to the vice president.”

He argues that Harris failed to establish a strong personal connection with voters, further weakening her campaign.

4. Misogyny and Party Support: A Dismissal

The conversation shifts to the role of sexism and party support in Harris's loss. Stephen A. Smith references endorsements from prominent female figures and hints at misogyny possibly affecting the outcome:

“[08:04] Stephen A. Smith: We saw Oprah Winfrey speak... What role, if any, do you believe that played in the lack of support she received in this election?”

O’Reilly dismisses these notions outright:

“[08:46] Bill O’Reilly: Zero... It's a bunch of bull. If the American public believed that Kamala Harris could improve their economic circumstance, she certainly would have won by a big margin.”

He insists that economic factors, rather than gender or race, were the decisive elements in the election.

5. Alternative Candidates: The Michelle Obama Hypothesis

Exploring alternative scenarios, O’Reilly speculates on how different candidates might have fared. He posits that Michelle Obama, given her immense popularity, could have secured a victory for the Democrats:

“[12:15] Bill O’Reilly: If Michelle Obama had wanted the nomination, she'd had it... I think Michelle would have won.”

Stephen A. Smith queries the feasibility of such a candidacy:

“[12:25] Stephen A. Smith: That's right.”

O’Reilly reinforces the idea, suggesting that Michelle Obama's widespread acclaim would have galvanized voter support, potentially overcoming the economic grievances that hampered Harris's campaign.

6. Donald Trump's Leadership and Political Savvy

The discussion returns to Trump, with O’Reilly highlighting his effectiveness as a leader and dealmaker. He contrasts Trump's hands-on approach with Biden's perceived indifference:

“[13:10] Bill O’Reilly: He was a politician, the same guy... he doesn't care about... he's a deal maker and he's very astute at sizing up what he needs to get done to be successful.”

O’Reilly lauds Trump’s work ethic, positioning him as one of the hardest-working politicians in U.S. history:

“[14:31] Bill O’Reilly: He is the hardest working politician in US History. There has never been another president or candidate that works as hard as that man works.”

He attributes Trump's strong performance in the early months of his presidency to these qualities, noting:

“[13:00] Bill O’Reilly: If Covid had not hit us, he would have been easily reelected just on the economic success alone that he experienced in the first 18 months.”

7. Demographic Shifts: Latino and African American Voter Behavior

Stephen A. Smith highlights the notable increase in support for Trump among Latino (13%) and African American (5%) voters:

“[16:51] Stephen A. Smith: Latinos increased their vote for Trump by 13%, according to what I read. African Americans by 5%. Why do you think that happened for Donald Trump?”

O’Reilly attributes this shift to economic factors rather than racial or cultural motivations:

“[17:11] Bill O’Reilly: It's economics, pure and simple... real wages... they're working hard for a living. They want to support their family... When you can't, you're teed off. It's not about color...”

He emphasizes that financial wellbeing transcends demographic lines, driving support based on economic performance.

8. The Future of Trump's Potential Second Term

As the conversation nears its conclusion, Stephen A. Smith probes into how a potential second term might differ from Trump's first:

“[18:07] Stephen A. Smith: How is this Trump going to be better than the Trump that was in office from 2016 to 2020?”

O’Reilly expresses uncertainty but underscores the challenges of maintaining and improving upon a prior administration's achievements:

“[18:20] Bill O’Reilly: I have no idea whether he's going to be better, whether he's going to be worse. What I want for the country is for Donald Trump to succeed... he needs to tamp that down, laser lock into cleaning up the border, raising the economy as quickly as possible, getting social disorder under control, and being very straight with the American public.”

He references historical precedents, such as Grover Cleveland's non-consecutive terms, to caution about the complexities of a second term.

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the interview by acknowledging O’Reilly's extensive career and contributions to media:

“[19:34] Stephen A. Smith: Bill O’Reilly, I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to join me today... Always appreciate you, my man. Thank you so much for joining me. Really appreciate it.”

O’Reilly reciprocates the sentiment, emphasizing the value of their conversation:

“[19:56] Bill O’Reilly: Thank you, Steven. I really enjoyed the conversation.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Economic Hardships:

  “[02:26] Bill O’Reilly: Because people are suffering economically. The working people, the non ideologues... purchasing power for workers declined dramatically, almost 9% in three and a half years.”

• Inflation Insights:

  “[04:00] Bill O’Reilly: When inflation comes down, it doesn't mean prices come down. It means that inflation doesn't grow as much...”

• Critique of Harris’s Campaign:

  “[05:33] Bill O’Reilly: Kamala Harris made one enormous mistake. She didn't answer any questions...”

• Dismissal of Misogyny Claims:

  “[08:46] Bill O’Reilly: Zero... It's a bunch of bull. If the American public believed that Kamala Harris could improve their economic circumstance, she certainly would have won by a big margin.”

• Trump’s Work Ethic:

  “[14:31] Bill O’Reilly: He is the hardest working politician in US History. There has never been another president or candidate that works as hard as that man works.”

• Demographic Shifts Explained:

  “[17:11] Bill O’Reilly: It's economics, pure and simple... real wages... they're working hard for a living. They want to support their family... When you can't, you're teed off. It's not about color...”

Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a critical examination of the 2024 presidential election through the lens of Bill O’Reilly. The conversation underscores the pivotal role of economic factors in shaping voter behavior, critiques the Democratic candidate's campaign strategies, and highlights the complexities surrounding demographic voting patterns. O’Reilly's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the election dynamics, emphasizing the intersection of economic performance and political strategy in determining electoral outcomes.