The Stephen A. Smith Show: Stephen A Responds to DL Hughley Slamming NFL RB Barkley's White House Visit and His Wife

Release Date: May 1, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith addresses recent controversies surrounding NFL running back Saquon Barkley’s visit to the White House and confronts comedian DL Hughley’s harsh criticisms of the event. The episode delves deep into the intersections of sports, politics, and societal expectations, offering listeners a thorough examination of the issues at hand.

1. Philadelphia Eagles’ White House Victory Celebration

The episode begins with Stephen A. Smith providing context about the Philadelphia Eagles' recent White House visit following their Super Bowl triumph. Traditionally, championship-winning teams make a courtesy visit to celebrate with the sitting president. However, this time, not all team members attended the ceremony.

Key Points:

• Attendance: While most team members were present, notable absences included Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devontae Smith, linebacker Zach Bond, defensive ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, and defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
• Saquon Barkley's Presence: Running back Saquon Barkley was among those who attended, highlighting his role within the team and his relationship with the organization.

2. President Donald Trump’s Remarks on Saquon Barkley

Stephen A. Smith shares a pivotal moment from the White House ceremony where President Donald Trump addressed Saquon Barkley, offering both praise and critique.

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump [01:55]: "And by the way, I have to tell you something. I was with the Giants and the head coach and some people and I said do anything you have to, but don't lose Saquon. They lost Saquon. That was not good. I called that one. That was. That was an easy one to call because he played damn well for the Giants."

Trump’s comment underscores Barkley’s value as a player, referencing his performance and significance to the team.

3. DL Hughley’s Critique of Barkley’s White House Visit

The conversation takes a critical turn as Stephen A. Smith introduces DL Hughley’s disparaging remarks regarding Barkley’s appearance at the White House.

Notable Quotes:

D.L. Hughley [02:30]: "I think that it's not just political. What Donald Trump has done and is doing to black history is unsavory and is undeniable. Donald Trump is deliberately trying to erase black people's history for whatever quest, he's elevating Christopher Columbus again. So he deliberately is doing things to black people that isn't just political."

D.L. Hughley [03:08]: "Saquon Barkley, he had a girlfriend and threw around the N word a lot and said she wasn't a gold digger and she wasn't messing with no broke n words. He looks like that kind of guy that is indifferent to what black people go through. It's just true."

Hughley accuses Barkley of embodying negative stereotypes and criticizes black individuals who engage with the Trump administration, suggesting a broader intent to undermine black history and identity.

4. Stephen A. Smith’s Defense and Broader Political Commentary

Responding to Hughley’s pointed criticisms, Stephen A. Smith offers a robust defense of Barkley and extends the discussion to encompass broader themes of political engagement and collaboration.

Key Points & Quotes:

• Defending Barkley’s Actions:

  "Saquon Barkley is a football player. The Philadelphia Eagles won the championship. Trump is somebody he's played golf with, just like football. Former President Barack Obama is somebody he's played with."

  Smith emphasizes that Barkley’s interactions with political figures are part of his personal and professional life, not inherently political statements.

• Critique of DL Hughley:

  "I'm not here to insult or castigate DL Hughley in any way. I think that he's a sensational comedian who's made us laugh for many, many years. Kings of comedy and his D.L. Hughley show on ABC come to mind."

  While acknowledging Hughley’s impact in comedy, Smith challenges the validity and fairness of his criticisms.

• On Political Engagement and Collaboration:

  "You have to work with people, people you dislike, people you disagree with, people who you know [...] have no control over the apparatus and the system that's in place. You're not going to change it. So they're not trying to live their life with everything being a protest. That's their position."

  Smith advocates for open-mindedness and cooperation across political divides, arguing that constructive dialogue is essential for meaningful change.

• Addressing Stereotypes and Prejudices:

  "To get to D.L. Hughley's points, directly stigmatizing black folks, saying, you know who they are...Why? What evidence do you have that that's how they think?"

  He confronts the stereotypes Hughley attributes to Barkley and, by extension, the black community, demanding evidence for such broad generalizations.

• Encouraging Action Over Protests:

  "I can always tell what they are...But to some people, ignorance is bliss. They want to go about the business of doing their everyday job because they know they have no control over the apparatus and the system that's in place."

  Smith encourages focusing on tangible actions to effect change rather than perpetual protest, suggesting that engagement in everyday roles can be more impactful.

• Vision for Political Cooperation:

  "If Cuomo wins the mayoral seat in New York City, Andrew Cuomo, you think he's not going to try to work with the Trump White House? [...] You can't have this closed door, closed minded, resolute belief that allows you the excuse to remain stagnant, therefore ineffective in doing your job?"

  He underscores the importance of political leaders working collaboratively, even with those they disagree with, to achieve progress.

• Role as an Ambassador for HBCU Week:

  "I thought about what D.L. Hughley said, I thought about what he would think about me as an ambassador for HBCU Week...We've collaborated and assisted one another in raising nearly $100 million in scholarships for over 12,000 students at HBCUs."

  Smith highlights his own efforts to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), juxtaposing his constructive actions against Hughley’s criticisms.

• Open Dialogue as a Path to Change:

  "Why not leave yourself open to the possibility that you can communicate with the very people whose actions you may abhor in a political spectrum? Because, guess what? You may have the impact to create change and to create a difference for them."

  Concluding his response, Smith advocates for maintaining open channels of communication as a means to foster understanding and initiate positive change.

5. Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the discussion by reaffirming his stance on the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and constructive action within both the sports community and the broader socio-political landscape. He encourages listeners to look beyond stereotypes, engage meaningfully with differing viewpoints, and focus on actions that contribute to societal progress.

Overall Insights:

• Balancing Sports and Politics: The episode underscores the complex relationship between athletes, their public personas, and political engagement.
• Challenging Stereotypes: Stephen A. Smith actively challenges prejudiced narratives, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of individuals beyond surface-level judgments.
• Promoting Constructive Engagement: Emphasizing the necessity of working across divides, Smith calls for a pragmatic approach to political and social issues, prioritizing collaboration over confrontation.

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the responsibilities and challenges faced by public figures in navigating the intertwined realms of sports, politics, and societal expectations. Through incisive analysis and passionate defense, Stephen A. Smith invites listeners to reflect on the importance of open-mindedness, constructive dialogue, and proactive engagement in fostering a more inclusive and effective community.