The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary Release Date: November 21, 2024

1. NFL Players’ Celebrations Mimicking President-Elect Donald Trump

Timestamp: [01:03]

Stephen A. Smith opens the episode by addressing a controversial intersection of politics and sports. He expresses his frustration with the NFL's recent statement regarding players performing Donald Trump's signature dance during on-field celebrations. Prominent athletes like Nick Bosa (49ers), Brock Bowers (Raiders), and Calvin Ridley (Titans) have been mimicking the President-Elect’s iconic moves, sparking debate.

Smith criticizes the NFL for feeling the need to respond, questioning why such celebrations typically wouldn’t warrant a league statement. He asserts, “celebrations usually don't warrant that it doesn't require a response from the league” ([01:50]). He believes the necessity of the statement highlights the ongoing cultural divisions, attributing the NFL’s overreaction to a society where “people still living with their heads in the cloud acting like they get to protest every little damn thing” ([03:15]).

2. Acceptance of Trump's Electoral Victory

Timestamp: [05:10]

Transitioning from the NFL incident, Smith delves into the broader political landscape, particularly Donald Trump's convincing victory in the recent election. While he openly states that he did not vote for Trump, Smith acknowledges the clear mandate from the American electorate: “He won convincingly. So to me, that says that the American people have made their choice” ([06:25]).

He emphasizes respect for the democratic process, noting, “Football players are usually American people. So are basketball players. So are UFC fighters. They got a right to support who the hell they want to” ([07:40]). Smith contrasts the NFL's response with the UFC's non-reaction, praising Dana White for not engaging in unnecessary apologies: “Dana White wouldn't entertain that. Dana White would not entertain that because he don't play that nonsense” ([09:00]).

3. Impact of Woke and Cancel Culture on the Election

Timestamp: [10:15]

Smith attributes Trump’s electoral success to a combination of factors, including inflation, the economy, border issues, and notably, “woke culture” and “cancel culture” ([10:40]). He argues that the pervasive fear of expressing differing opinions, especially regarding pronouns and political correctness, alienated many voters. This cultural tension, according to Smith, pushed voters towards Trump as a reactionary force against what he perceives as societal overreach.

4. Kamala Harris’s Campaign Expenditures and Oprah Winfrey’s Involvement

Timestamp: [12:05]

Shifting focus to Vice President Kamala Harris, Smith critiques the revelation that her campaign paid Oprah Winfrey’s production company approximately $2.5 million for support, significantly higher than initial reports of $1 million ([12:30]).

He scrutinizes Oprah's historical support for Democratic candidates, mentioning her past donations to Cory Booker and Stacey Abrams: “Oprah is usually doling out money, but now your production company is getting a piece which is pennies to Oprah Winfrey” ([13:45]). Smith questions the transparency and intent behind these financial dealings, suggesting potential ulterior motives: “When you have a history spanning decades of giving, not taking, is it possible that you were taken because you had to be sold on supporting Kamala Harris?” ([14:20]).

5. Critique of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and Media Accountability

Timestamp: [14:50]

Concluding his political discourse, Smith addresses MSNBC’s "Morning Joe," specifically host Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough. He praises their work but demands accountability regarding their prior criticisms of Trump. Smith voices disappointment that after endorsing narratives labeling Trump as racist and comparing his actions to Nazis, the hosts proceeded to meet with him without any public retraction or clarification: “Could you give us some information? Because I didn't hear that” ([15:10]).

He underscores the importance of owning one's statements and maintaining trust with the audience: “What I try, what I strive to avoid. You gonna know where the hell I stand come hella high water” ([15:30]). Smith calls for transparency and consistency from media figures to rebuild trust and avoid contributing to the erosion of legacy media credibility.

6. Supporting Freedom of Expression in Sports

Timestamp: [15:50]

Wrapping up, Smith praises the NFL players who dared to celebrate in support of Trump, framing it as an exercise of free expression. He emphasizes the need for America to return to a state where individuals can “believe what we want to believe, feel what we want to feel, and do what we want to do within reason without having to worry about being ostracized” ([16:10]). Smith envisions a future where divisive cultural pressures are alleviated, restoring unity and freedom of expression within the country.

Conclusion

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith navigates the complex interplay between sports, politics, and cultural dynamics. He critiques institutional reactions to individual expressions of political support, underscores the significance of respecting electoral outcomes, and calls for greater accountability and transparency within both political campaigns and media organizations. Through his passionate discourse, Smith advocates for a more unified and open American society where free expression is honored and respected across all arenas.