The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode Title: Trump at the WEF; Rand Paul; Laura Coates
Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Stephen A. Smith (SiriusXM POTUS Radio)

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode, Stephen A. Smith moves beyond sports to tackle a week packed with political controversy and legal intrigue. The show covers President Trump’s headline-grabbing appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, heated discourse around border enforcement and ICE, and the fallout from disruptive protests in Minnesota’s churches. Featuring probing interviews with Senator Rand Paul and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates, Stephen A. offers sharp takes and listener calls on Trump’s policies, the Greenland saga, sanctuary cities, Don Lemon’s activism, and the state of American democracy.

Main Topics & Key Segments

1. State of Play: Trump at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos

• Timestamps: 00:44–07:12, 10:41–16:47
• Theme: Stephen A. recaps a rapidly changing political landscape, dissecting the fallout from President Trump’s WEF speech and recent actions.
• Highlights:
  • One week can radically change the political climate—Democrats once had the upper hand, but now uncertainty reigns after Trump's latest moves.
  • Trump’s polarizing rhetoric on border control and the economy is scrutinized. Stephen A. notes successes in border enforcement but questions Trump’s methods and the optics:

    “How he’s going about doing it, the kind of things we see optically in the streets of America … is not a good look.” (05:43)

  • Trump’s abrupt U-turn on European tariffs after a market dive creates “head-spinning swings,” underlining perceptions of volatility.
  • Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize aspirations are mocked, and his speech at Davos is described as rambling—especially his odd comments about Canada:

    “He just doesn’t appear that coherent. … It’s hard listening to him sometimes.” (07:14)

2. Gavin Newsom in Davos: America’s Dirty Laundry?

• Timestamps: 10:41–16:47
• Theme: California Governor Gavin Newsom’s criticism of Trump while abroad sparks strong opinions.
• Highlights:
  • Stephen A. chastises Newsom for criticizing Trump on foreign soil:

    "Say whatever you want here ... you don't go on a world stage to disrespect your own house, which is the United States of America." (11:10–12:10)

  • Newsom criticized for failing to tackle California’s crises before “auditioning“ for the presidency, and for issues like state wildfires, missing funds, and border problems.
  • Stephen A. accuses Democrats of risking the midterms by entangling the party with divisive social issues and not focusing on core voter concerns.

3. Interview: Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)

• Timestamps: 19:21–43:07
• Structure:
  • ICE & Local vs. Federal Enforcement:
    • Paul sees local police as better trained for balancing law and order with civil rights, criticizing both localities for refusing to enforce immigration law and federal overreach:

      “The way we do is by both sides coming together.” (21:51)

  • Rhetoric & Violence:
    • Stephen A. challenges Paul on Trump administration’s vitriolic rhetoric and its societal impact.
    • Paul draws distinctions between targeted ICE raids and broad sweeps, warning that chaotic enforcement “stokes distrust” on both sides.

      “The real problem is whether or not it can be done in an orderly fashion or whether it’s done in a haphazard fashion.” (23:55)

  • ICE Agent Training & Habeas Corpus:
    • Paul opposes reduced agent training and suggests local cooperation is preferable to federal dominance.
    • He raises alarms about talk of suspending habeas corpus:

      “The fact that Stephen Miller...would say that they’re considering suspending habeas corpus is what alarms and agitates the situation...” (25:11)

  • Greenland—What’s the Endgame?
    • Paul is mystified by Trump’s obsession with Greenland and rebukes his inflammatory tactics:

      “No one in Congress is for a military takeover of Greenland. … The threats of force, I think, have had the opposite effect.” (26:34)

  • Tariff Chaos & Executive Power:
    • Paul opposes Trump’s unilateral tariff threats and bemoans the lack of congressional oversight, blaming both parties for enabling executive overreach.
  • Assessment of ‘America First’:
    • Paul critiques Trump’s veering into regime change in Venezuela, contradicting his non-interventionist campaign promises:

      “I think he’s being...influenced by Marco Rubio...and Lindsey Graham...it would be good for him to maybe listen to some of his old speeches about being against regime change.” (34:13–34:42)

  • War Powers & Congress:
    • Paul argues for tight congressional control: “Most episodes of dropping bombs are obviously war.”
  • Iran: Carrot or Stick?
    • Paul advocates diplomacy over endless “stick”: “We have all these sanctions...but I would say behave like a normal country...we’ll open trade...It has to be some kind of activity that we see in response.” (37:52)
  • Big Tech Liability (Google/YouTube):
    • Paul’s recent op-ed calls to restrict Section 230 protections. He supports liability for platforms only in cases of false criminal accusation or defamation.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I don’t care whether you’re Republican or a Democrat—if someone comes to your community...arrested child predators, rapists and people wanted for murder, probably people secretly applaud and say, ‘Good.’” (23:55)
  • “Being honest that both parties deserve criticism at times is all I know what to do.” (31:29)

4. The Don Lemon Controversy: Activist or Journalist?

• Timestamps: 43:53–51:55
• Theme: Don Lemon’s involvement in a Minneapolis church protest against ICE.
• Highlights:
  • Airs Lemon’s expletive-filled rant aimed at ICE and Trump supporters:

    “You are fat fuck losers who just crawled out of a trailer park from some Proud Boy meeting… You are thugs, jack-booted thugs.” (45:25)

  • DOJ's warning via Assistant AG that Lemon may face prosecution for his actions under the FACE Act, which protects access to houses of worship and clinics.
  • Stephen A. expresses concern for Lemon but notes his activist posture could undermine his defense:

    “Now you're not viewed as a journalist, you're viewed as an activist.” (48:29)

5. Interview: Laura Coates, CNN Chief Legal Analyst

• Timestamps: 61:58–83:43
• Structure:
  • Legal Nuance of Church Protest/Don Lemon:
    • Coates details the legal stakes: Lemon’s move from public protest to private church space triggered serious FACE Act risks.
    • Coates warns: “You don’t want to be in the position to try to explain what you have done because then you find yourself in a courtroom.” (74:32)
    • Raises tension between journalistic roles (opinion vs. documentation) and the limits of First Amendment protections in private spaces.
  • Use of Force in Renee Good Shooting:
    • Coates explains the “reasonableness” standard in police shootings, noting: “It's every single shot. … Was it a matter of shooting out of reasonableness or anger? That's all part of what should be an investigation.” (75:52)
  • Invoking the Insurrection Act:
    • Key legal limits: Only justified if local authorities are overwhelmed—not when federal ICE agents overrun locals:

      “This has not risen to the level that local law enforcement is overwhelmed by the actual conduct of the people, but they argue, overwhelmed by the conduct of law enforcement.” (78:25)

  • Subpoenaing Mayors & Governors:
    • Coates distinguishes between chilling protected speech and evidence of conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement.
• Notable Moment: > “Your rights end where mine begin... The Face Act is about that secondary part. It's about saying that we hold quite in a precious way, we hold it very important to be able to exercise our freedom of worship...” (70:36)

6. Listener Calls: Democratic Response, Mark Kelly’s Comments, Internal Party Debates

• Timestamps: 51:55–101:12 (calls throughout)
• Key Questions:
  • Why aren’t more Democrats effectively challenging Trump?
  • Did Mark Kelly’s stance on illegal orders cross ethical or legal lines as a former military officer?
• Notable Exchange:
  • Stephen A. on Dems' critic of Trump's deportations:

    “When you complain about the borders, you complain about ICE in the streets...what you really can’t complain [about] is the actual act of deporting people, because you said nothing when Obama deported over 3 million plus people.” (53:01)

  • Discussion on the ethics of military officers speaking out, using the film “A Few Good Men” as a touchstone.
  • Stephen A.’s firm response to critics in the Black community:

    “Ain’t nobody gonna accuse me of not being real, because that’s all I am… You’ve got people who are operatives that feel the way that they feel… What they don’t know, Khalifa, is that I’m here for it. I’m built for it.” (92:48–93:19)

Memorable Quotes

• Stephen A. Smith [on Trump at Davos]:
  “He just doesn’t appear that coherent. … I just don’t understand it. But in the end, here’s the bottom line. … Who’s winning? And who’s not?” (07:14)

• Rand Paul [on regime change]:
  “Trump came on the scene and says he wasn’t for regime change. And that’s largely why I supported him. … But then, you know, toppling the regime in Venezuela...that really sounds like regime change to many of us.” (32:08)

• Laura Coates [on Don Lemon and press freedoms]:
  “I think to suggest that one is no longer a journalist or has the protection of being a part of the free press because they offer an opinion would be detrimental...but...the space [in a private church] makes a world of difference to how prosecutors look at the ability to protest.” (66:42)

Notable Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:44–07:12 | Stephen A. opens with Trump at WEF, state of the country, border policy | | 10:41–16:47 | Review of Gavin Newsom’s Davos appearance and implications | | 19:21–43:07 | In-depth interview with Rand Paul (ICE, Greenland, Venezuela, Google, war powers) | | 43:53–51:55 | Don Lemon’s Minneapolis church protest, FACE Act analysis, DOJ warning | | 61:58–83:43 | Legal analysis with Laura Coates (Don Lemon/press, police shooting, Insurrection Act) | | 51:55–101:12 | Listener call-ins: Democrats’ strategy, Mark Kelly, media critique, party dynamics |

Tone and Style

• Stephen A.: Direct, candid, intensely analytical with trademark rhetorical passion, never shying away from contradiction or confrontation, often inserting vivid analogies or personal anecdotes.
• Rand Paul: Measured, libertarian-minded, critical of both parties, advocates Congressional oversight and restraint in executive power.
• Laura Coates: Methodical, explanatory, deeply versed in legal nuance, and empathetic to the challenges activists and journalists face.

Summary Takeaways

• Trump’s erratic leadership, especially regarding Greenland and tariffs, creates volatility domestically and abroad.
• ICE’s increased presence in sanctuary cities—and the way local vs. federal tensions play out—remain explosive political issues.
• Governor Newsom’s on-the-world-stage Trump critique is slammed as counterproductive, though his ambition is acknowledged.
• Rand Paul stands as a rare GOP independent, critiquing Trump’s foreign policy drift and warning against unchecked presidential authority.
• The Don Lemon controversy exemplifies today’s fraught line between journalism and activism, and exposes legal minefields—especially in sensitive locations (church protests).
• Laura Coates underscores that the law’s protection of protest, press, and worship is highly context-sensitive and often tested in new ways amid ongoing social unrest.
• Listener calls add richness—surfacing skepticism about both parties, the dangers of hypocrisy, and the complexity of public discourse in a polarized America.
• Stephen A. closes by reaffirming his independence and appetite for debate—“I get it from both sides... all I want is to get as close to the truth as possible.”

For New Listeners

This episode showcases Stephen A. Smith at his sharpest—fusing politics, law, and social commentary with energy and nuance, featuring frank discussions with high-profile guests and unapologetic confrontation of hot-button topics shaping the nation.

[End of Summary]