Stephen A’s Take: “The Great One” Mark Levin Bash Trump’s Putin Hype.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A’s Take: “The Great One” Mark Levin Bash Trump’s Putin Hype
Release Date: February 22, 2025

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Introduction to the Episode

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a significant development within conservative circles: Mark Levin's unexpected criticism of former President Donald Trump regarding Trump's stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This discussion sheds light on internal debates within the Republican Party and the broader implications for American politics.

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Mark Levin’s Critique of Trump on Ukraine and Putin

At the heart of the episode is Mark Levin’s recent departure from his usual unwavering support for Trump. Levin publicly challenged Trump's narrative around the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, specifically disputing Trump's characterization of Zelensky as a dictator and his allegations that Ukraine is manipulating free elections.

Notable Quote:

Mark Levin (01:05): "Zelensky hasn't called for an election. That's what the constitution compels. Now I'm waiting for the first free election for Vladimir Putin. I mean, this is almost comical in a sick way that Putin is demanding an election. Why is he demanding an election in Ukraine when he doesn't have free and real elections in his own country?"

Levin further emphasized that Russia was the aggressor in the conflict, stating:

Mark Levin (02:15): "Ukraine did not invade Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukraine doesn't have the industrial might that Russia has or China. They didn't start this war. What were they supposed to do? Roll over and play dead? MAGA doesn't support Putin. 81% of the American people do not trust Putin because 81% of the American people are smart."

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Stephen A. Smith's Analysis and Support of Levin’s Stance

Stephen A. Smith lauds Levin for his bold stance, recognizing it as a rare instance of conservative integrity. He appreciates Levin’s willingness to critique Trump, highlighting the importance of such accountability within the party.

Notable Quotes:

Stephen A. Smith (04:30): "If you don’t have people on the right that I'm not willing to say to Donald Trump, yo, man, you're going a bit too far... I think you're wrong on this one."

Stephen A. Smith (06:20): "Mark Levin was absolutely right. I was a fan of his show to begin with, but I appreciate him even more today because when you take the kind of stance that he has taken against Donald Trump, it shows that you're trustworthy."

Smith underscores that Levin’s criticism stems from a place of seeking truth and upholding constitutional principles, rather than partisan opposition.

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Contrasting with Other Republican Voices

Stephen contrasts Levin’s approach with that of other prominent Republican commentators like Sean Hannity, pointing out that Levin is one of the few on the right willing to challenge Trump when necessary.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith (07:50): "I've never seen an individual in my life that wanted to debate that man because he knows what the hell he's talking about... but Mark Levin provided everybody hope."

Smith criticizes the lack of similar accountability from other conservative figures, suggesting that without voices like Levin’s, the party risks unchecked leadership.

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The Importance of Accountability on the Right

Emphasizing the need for internal critique, Smith argues that conservatives must be willing to hold their leaders accountable to maintain integrity and effectiveness.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith (09:00): "If you don't have people on the right that are willing to do that, then we are in trouble."

He highlights the necessity for Republicans to distinguish between right and wrong unequivocally, a stance Levin exemplifies.

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Concerns about Checks and Balances

Beyond the immediate critique of Trump’s foreign policy positions, Smith expresses broader concerns about a potential future where Trump holds office without sufficient checks and balances, fearing that this could lead to executive overreach.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith (08:40): "The issue of Trump being in office is not the biggest issue. It's him being the office devoid of checks and balances. I don't mind him being in office more than I mind the Republicans having both the House and the Senate and he gets to operate with impunity. That's my fear."

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Conclusion: Hope from Conservative Voices like Levin

Wrapping up the discussion, Stephen A. Smith offers a hopeful perspective, crediting Mark Levin for providing a trustworthy and principled voice that could inspire similar accountability among conservatives.

Notable Quote:

Stephen A. Smith (10:10): "Right is right, wrong is wrong. Donald Trump and going after Zelensky. Nah, you ain't got any business doing that. You don't want to give him more money, don't give him more money. But you ain't got to talk about him like that, like he's the villain in all of this. That's going a bit too far."

Smith's endorsement of Levin not only reinforces the significance of Levin’s critique but also underscores the essential role such voices play in shaping a responsible and effective conservative movement.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers an in-depth examination of the complexities within the Republican Party, particularly regarding leadership accountability and foreign policy stances. By spotlighting Mark Levin’s courageous critique, Stephen A. Smith encourages a culture of honesty and integrity, emphasizing that upholding these values is crucial for the party's future and the nation's well-being.

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Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.

Transcript

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[Stephen A. Smith]

My buddy and longtime Trump supporter, the Great One himself, Mark Levin, is turning heads with an about face on his steadfast backing of the president. The Fox News host, speaking on his eponymous radio show, broke solidarity with Trump over his recent attacks on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, warning Trump that, quote, maga doesn't support Putin. Levin said Trump's recent accusations that Zelensky is a dictator and that the Ukrainian leader is stopping free elections and has a very low approval rating are all false. Levin said in part, quote, zelensky ordered martial law. That's what the constitution they're compelled. Zelensky hasn't called for an election. That's what the constitution there compels. Now I'm waiting for the first free election for Vladimir Putin. I mean, this is almost comical in a sick way that Putin is demanding an election. Why is he demanding an election in Ukraine when he doesn't have free and real elections in his own country? I don't know why there are people that not only oppose Zelensky but seem to support Putin. Levin wasn't finished. He continued, ukraine did not invade Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukraine doesn't have the industrial might that a Russia has or a China. They didn't start this war. What were they supposed to do? Roll over and play dead? MAGA doesn't support Putin. 81% of the American people do not trust Putin because 81% of the American people are smart. End quote. As a reminder, here's what Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday. Quote, think of it. A modestly successful comedian, Vladimir Zelinsky talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn't be won, that never had to start, but a war that he without the US And Trump will never be able to settle. The United states has spent $200 billion more than Europe, and Europe's money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back. Why didn't sleepy Joe Biden demand equalization and that this war is far more important to Europe than it is to us? We have a big, beautiful ocean, a separation. On top of this, Zelinsky admits that half of the money we sent them is missing. He refuses to have elections, is very low on Ukrainian polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden like a fiddle. The dictator without elections. Zelensky better move fast or he's not going to have a country left. I can't take it no more. Give it all. Just stop it. Guys. I don't need to read more than this. First of all, Trump is full of it. And what we need to understand is that this looks very, very bad if people will open their freaking eyes. Because once again, in a situation involving Putin and Russia, Trump comes across more favorable towards Putin than the other party. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia initiated the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Russia is considered the one with a dictator. Ukraine only wants its own sovereignty, its own sovereign land. Now, they're talking about joining the eu, which they need to, and I get all of that, but we're talking about a country that's been invaded. Now, you can make a debate, you can make an argument that the United States give them too much money, okay? You can say that Joe Biden elected give them too much money, okay? But to turn around and call them a dictator while speaking favorably of Putin makes no sense. And props to Mark Levin for calling it out. Let me give y'all a background because, see, people see me talking to liberals, and they know that I voted for Kamala Harris and stuff like that. Sean Hannity is not my only buddy. So is Mark Levin. I've known him for 20 years. I'm on his show frequently. He calls me all the time. His nickname is the Great One. You know why I think it's appropriate? Because I've never seen an individual in my life that wanted to debate that man because he knows what the hell he's talking about. Constitutional law expert, for those of you who don't know. And I almost never hear him speaking against die hard Republicans. He might be going against the Rhinos. Republicans in name Only, yeah, he'll call them out. But he certainly never spoke against Trump. He's been one of the most staunch supporters of Trump. So for Trump to be called out by him is a big, big deal. You're listening to me, Sean Hannity, Are you listening? I mean, when you call me on as a guest on your show, It's Hannity, Hannity, 9pm Weeknights, 9pm Eastern Standard Time on Fox News, where I visited frequently. I ain't hear you call me about this one. Sean Hannity, what's up? I don't hear you talking. Now that the great one has disagreed with your boy Donald Trump, see what the Republicans are gonna have to get beyond. And I'm not casting any Asperger's on, on. Let me be very, very clear. I'm friends with Hannity, Levin. I'm a fan of Megan Kelly and the work that she does. I really, really am. I was on Dave Rubin's podcast. Okay, all right. I mean, you know, I've known Chris Christie for years. There's plenty of Republicans and there's plenty of conservative policies that I don't mind a lot. I don't like either, though. But here's the deal. I bring all of that up to say right is right and wrong is wrong. And I appreciate Mark Levin being one of those Republicans that doesn't say that Donald Trump is spreading perfume when he's passing gas. I appreciate that because somebody got to do it. If you don't have people on the right that I'm not willing to say to Donald Trump, yo, man, you're going a bit too far. Yo, man, I think this is the wrong way to go. I don't think this is good for the country. I don't think this is good for the world. I think you're wrong on this one. As Mark Levin articulated very eloquently, I might add, if you don't have anybody on the right that's willing to do that, then we are in trouble. See, to me, the issue of Trump being in office is not the biggest issue. It's him being the office devoid of checks and balances. I don't mind him being in office more than I mind the Republicans having both the House and the Senate and he gets to operate with impunity. That's my fear. But Mark Levin provided everybody hope. See, and just to remind y'all, just as an aside, Republicans are welcome on the show. If you ain't seen them on a, it's cuz they haven't elected to come. Byron, Donald's been on this show before. We put out personal invitations to Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, JD Vance, Donald Trump himself. Okay, Hannity's already been on this show. I don't have any problems. I'm a fair minded individual. I'm an independent. I want both sides expressing themselves to the American people. I don't have to be an expert. Mr. James Carvill interview somebody and to get their perspective, to let the American people hear what they have to say and then you be the judge. But I know this much. I don't need to be an expert on the war in Ukraine to recognize the fact that Russia did attack them. You could talk about the history, the role the United States played in it. You know, I, you could talk about that all day long. I got my notes on that stuff. We can get into that another day. In the end, Russia elected to attack Ukraine. And because Russia elected to do that, you can't get around that. You can't be talking about Russia like they're the friendly foes, that they didn't instigate this war. Mark Levin was absolutely right. I was a fan of his show to begin with, but I appreciate him him even more today because when you take the kind of stance that he has taken against Donald Trump, it shows that you're trustworthy. I knew that before and before, but I know it even more now. Let's see if the rest follows. Okay, somebody farting. Passing gas is farting and passing gas. It's not perfume. It's nice to see somebody on the right willing to call it like that. Okay, right is right, wrong is wrong. Donald Trump and going after Zelensky. Nah, you ain't got any business doing that. You don't want to give him more money, don't give him more money. But you ain't got to talk about him like that, like he the villain in all of this. That's going a bit too far. Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need. Like 24. Seven claims, I'm on cloud nine.

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