The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode: "POLITICAL CHAOS IS WASHINGTON D.C.; JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC)"

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guest: Representative James Clyburn (D-SC)
Live from: Washington, D.C. with studio audience

Overview

In this multifaceted episode, Stephen A. Smith broadens his focus far beyond sports, immersing listeners in the current turmoil of national politics. Broadcasting from the heart of Washington, D.C., Stephen A. uses characteristic candor to critique both parties, decry political divisiveness, and center urgent issues like healthcare, economic uncertainty, and the responsibilities of leadership. The episode includes insightful Q&A with a live audience and listener callers, culminating in a sharp and engaging interview with Representative James Clyburn, who discusses the current Democratic Party, the enduring complexities of race and leadership in America, and his new book on the first Black congressmen.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. America’s Political Landscape: Division, Distraction, and Disconnection

• Opening Rant on Political Dysfunction:
  • Stephen A. is visibly frustrated by political “nonsense” and gridlock. He slams both sides for fueling outrage instead of solving real problems: “The manner in which those feelings, those emotions are stoked by people on Capitol Hill is something I’ve lamented for quite a long time…” (03:35)
  • He frames much of contemporary politics as a “distraction” from urgent material issues: the ACA subsidy expiration, rising unemployment, debt, and border security.
• Healthcare Debate:
  • Stephen A. highlights the imminent healthcare crisis as ACA subsidies are set to expire, with Americans facing drastic increases in premiums: “As of January 1, premiums are expected to rise sky high…The average American citizen can’t afford that kind of discrepancy” (04:19, 12:54).
  • He lambasts Congress for failing to prioritize these stakes: “Instead of making sure you negotiate these things…we’ve heard about all this other stuff…” (12:59)

2. Presidential Conduct and Public Outrage

• Trump’s Response to the Rob Reiner Tragedy:
  • Stephen A. reads and denounces President Trump's inflammatory tweet after Rob Reiner and his wife’s alleged murder by their son, calling it “classless, tasteless, asinine, disgusting. All of those things are appropriate.” (08:40)
  • He spotlights rare bipartisan condemnation, with Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, and Mike Lawler rebuking Trump's remarks—“This is a family tragedy, not about politics…” (13:20)
• Democratic Strategy:
  • Advises Democrats to stay silent for once: “If the Democrats opened their mouth, they’d blow the momentum they’re building…Here’s the point. Shut the hell up. Don’t say anything. Don’t say anything about woke culture. Don’t say anything about cancel culture. Don’t get into identity politics. Don’t do any of that. Stick to healthcare, stick to affordability and make sure that you have an answer to the problems that persist.” (16:47)

3. Personal Reflections and Social Critiques

• Stephen A.’s Upbringing and Views on Capitalism:
  • He underscores the authenticity of his perspective by recalling his own impoverished upbringing: “You weren’t around when I had holes in my roof...I know what welfare cheese smells like.” (18:26–19:05)
  • He reaffirms a belief in capitalism, with caveats: “I believe in free market capitalism…Do I believe there should be some government oversight...Yes, I do, but only for that purpose.” (19:19–20:00)

4. Audience & Caller Q&A: Tough Questions on Race, Politics, and Potential

• Stephen A. on a Michelle Obama Candidacy (23:11):

  • “I think Michelle Obama is the greatest first lady in history. I absolutely revere her…But if I was involved in politics officially…it would be my own. I’d run…I would choose that role.”
  • He challenges the idea that America isn’t ready for a woman president, citing evidence: “Kamala Harris was the Democratic nominee…nearly 75 million votes, most of any Democratic candidate in history…That’s us not being ready?” (23:19–25:54)

• Race, Authenticity, and Critique Within the Black Community:

  • On being attacked as an “Uncle Tom” for criticizing Democrats: “We don’t hesitate to throw our own under the bus…You can do 99 things positive as a black person…second somebody profoundly disagrees, they have to castigate you and label you.” (28:39)
  • He draws historical parallels: “When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made the strides he made…people took sides between him and Malcolm X…” (28:39–34:04)
  • Maintains commitment to truth and asks politicians hard questions, like challenging Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s approach: “Is calling the president a piece of shit on television going to help you?” (33:56)

• On Women, Maturity, and Social Progress:

  • A caller asserts, “Women are more mature because they work through their shit.” (48:01)
  • Stephen A. banters but resists generalizations: “I think that men have said that about women, accurately so, and more women have said that about men. And that’s definitely accurately so.” (48:50)

• On Running for Office & Political Seriousness:

  • Admits he’s been seriously asked to consider a run but is candid about trade-offs: “If I were to run for office, I’m told I would have to give up a lot of my money. Now, that ain’t happening…If there were any political position that I would want, it would be…the president…” (43:27–45:53)

Representative James Clyburn Segment (1:02:16–1:01:54)

1. Health Care Stalemate and the ACA

• House vs. Senate Gridlock

  • Clyburn explains the House passed a GOP health bill, but it’s “not going anywhere” in the Senate.
  • On Expiring ACA Subsidies: "When we get back here in January, the Speaker is going to have to put that bill on the floor…why should the richest country in the world not have health care accessible and affordable by all of its citizens?" (63:17–65:19)

• Tax Cuts vs. Healthcare Support

  • Argues the hypocrisy of GOP’s spending priorities: “Tax cuts for the rich are not free, much more expensive than health care for the low income…if you could come up with $3 trillion for your side…how come you can’t come up with $1.5 trillion or less for the Democratic side?” (66:08–67:12)

2. State of the Democratic Party & Leadership

• Leadership & Climate

  • Praises Hakeem Jeffries' ability to create a climate for bipartisan collaboration: “One of the things you ought to look for in a leader is who can create a climate within which we can find common ground…Hakeem Jefferies has been around.” (67:53–69:04)
  • Pushes back on idea that leadership is about populism or being loud or “boisterous.”
  • On adapting to Trump’s style: “We should not make normal that which is abnormal…It is abnormal behavior that we’re getting from this president.” (69:48)

• On Gender, Race, and Electoral Reality

  • Suggests reluctance to elect a woman (particularly a Black, Asian-American woman like Kamala Harris) remains for some voters: "Maybe they couldn't get beyond gender…It's one thing not to be able to get there. It's something else when the reasons are not normal…" (71:23)
  • Stresses the persistent influence of race and the Electoral College: “Gender and race can make a difference in the Electoral College, which is why I wrote this book." (74:07)

Notable Exchange on Gender Readiness:

• Stephen A.: “I emphatically disagree that it might be gender driven…Hillary Clinton got 2.9 million more votes than Trump…Kamala Harris got the most votes of any Democrat, ever!” (71:52)
• Clyburn: “There are people, Black and White, who will refuse to vote for a woman. I know that…gender and race can make a difference in the Electoral College.” (73:05–74:07)

3. On His Book: "The First Eight"

• Reason for Writing: Inspired by a question about Black leaders’ portraits in his office, intending to correct misconceptions about Black political representation.
• Transformative Moment: After January 6, shifted to a “cautionary tale”—anything that has happened can happen again.
  • “Anything that’s happened before can happen again…the three most consequential things that happened to Black folks after the Civil War were each decided by a single vote.” (78:23)
  • Vivid Historical Lesson: The end of Reconstruction and the start of Jim Crow came down to a single electoral vote—stressing vigilance and the power of participation.

4. Strategic and Moral Lessons

• Moral Clarity vs. Political Expediency:
  • The struggle to sustain moral standards while facing belligerence and “normalized abnormality” (i.e., Trump’s style), with Clyburn urging: “Don’t make these things normal.”
• American Apathy and Voting:
  • Clyburn and Stephen A. bemoan low turnout and apathy after key wins (e.g., Obama’s elections led to drop-offs). “Once we elect you, then we expect you to deliver for us…but we don’t need to vote anymore. And that’s what happened.” (87:58)
• Advice for the Next Generation:
  • Encourages remembering each vote counts and being agreeable, even while disagreeing on policy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (Timestamps MM:SS)

• On ACA Subsidy Crisis:
  "As of January 1, premiums are expected to rise sky high…The average American citizen can’t afford that kind of discrepancy." – Stephen A. Smith (04:19–12:54)

• On Trump’s Reiner Tweet:
  “Classless, tasteless, asinine, disgusting.” – Stephen A. Smith (08:40)

• On Democratic Messaging:
  “Shut the hell up. Don’t say anything about woke culture. Don’t say anything about cancel culture. Stick to health care, stick to affordability.” – Stephen A. Smith (16:47)

• On Black Community & Critique:
  “We don’t hesitate to throw our own under the bus…The second somebody profoundly disagrees with you, they have to castigate you and label you.” – Stephen A. Smith (28:39)

• On ACA vs. Tax Cuts:
  "Tax cuts for the rich are not free, much more expensive than health care for the low income." – Rep. James Clyburn (66:08)

• On Political Loudness:
  “People confuse boisterous behavior with leadership.” – Rep. James Clyburn (70:49)

• On Persistent Barriers:
  “There are people, Black and White, who will refuse to vote for a woman. I know that and I think you know that.” – Rep. James Clyburn (73:05)

• On the Stakes of Every Vote:
  “The three most consequential things that happened to Black folks after the Civil War were each decided by a single vote.” – Rep. James Clyburn (78:29)

• On the Work of Goodwill:
  “People of ill will in our society are making much better use of time than the people of goodwill.” – Rep. James Clyburn, citing MLK (86:25)

• On His Hope for the Future:
  “I believe we have candidates waiting in the wings…and I think the American people are going to be very, very pleased with the choices we’re going to give them.” – Rep. James Clyburn (98:16)

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Highlight | |----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:15 | Stephen A. opens with frustration over political division | | 04:19 | The ACA (Obamacare) subsidy expiration crisis explained | | 08:40 | Reads/condemns Trump’s tweet about Rob Reiner tragedy | | 13:15 | Republican officials condemn Trump’s comments publicly | | 16:47 | Advises Democrats: “Shut the hell up…” | | 18:26 | Stephen A. relays personal struggles, roots, economic philosophy | | 23:11 | Discussing Michelle Obama’s hypothetical candidacy, gender in politics | | 28:39 | Caller confronts Stephen A. about being called an “Uncle Tom”; historical context | | 43:27 | Stephen A. addresses running for office | | 54:49 | Audience asks: How should Democrats engage young voters? | | 62:15 | Rep. James Clyburn joins, discusses ACA, party dynamics, leadership crisis | | 66:08 | Clyburn on healthcare/tax cut hypocrisy | | 69:48 | Praising Hakeem Jeffries as a leader; refusing to “normalize” Trump’s behavior | | 73:05 | Gender and race’s continued impact in electoral politics | | 78:29 | How single votes shaped Black history, cautionary historical lessons | | 86:25 | Clyburn, quoting MLK, on goodwill versus ill will | | 98:16 | Clyburn asserts confidence in Democratic talent for 2028 | | 100:39 | Closing: Clyburn’s hope from his book—every vote counts |

Conclusion

This episode offers a robust, unfiltered appraisal of America’s political malaise, punctuated by Stephen A.’s trademark intensity and skepticism, plus deeply relevant lessons on leadership, race, voting power, and the real-life repercussions of political brinkmanship. The dialogue between Stephen A. and Rep. James Clyburn is both combative and respectful, digging into uncomfortable truths and enduring challenges faced by the Democratic Party and the nation at large. Clyburn’s history lesson on Black political pioneers and the power of a single vote offers critical context and urgency, while Stephen A. calls on his audience to stay focused on substance—especially affordability, healthcare, and voting.

Memorable close:
"Vote. Vote, dammit, vote." – Stephen A. Smith (88:15)

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a vivid snapshot of America’s current political conflict, infused with history, personal testimony, and no-nonsense advice for the future.