The Stephen A. Smith Show (Straight Shooter) – Episode Summary

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guests: Scott Jennings (CNN), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17)
Main Theme: Analysis of Trump’s recent political maneuvers, pardons, shifting party strategies, and listener perspectives in the run-up to the 2026 midterms.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith goes well beyond his sports roots, diving deep into current U.S. politics with a focus on former President Donald Trump’s high-profile pardons and their political implications. He invites CNN’s conservative commentator Scott Jennings and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna for frank, nuanced exchanges, and fields several passionate listener calls. Expect sharp analysis on political strategy, party divisions, and the underlying snags of today’s political climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Unorthodox Pardons – Strategic Moves or Hypocrisy?

[02:11 - 21:48]

• Stephen A. opens with a forceful take on Trump’s decision to pardon controversial figures:

  • Juan Orlando Hernandez: Former President of Honduras, serving 45 years for helping traffickers move cocaine into the U.S.
  • Rep. Henry Cuellar: Democrat indicted on bribery and fraud, vocal Biden critic.

• Smith contextualizes the moves:

  “Trump has played his card. It ain’t about just being the president. It’s about remaining in power even once you leave office.” (Stephen A., 03:52)

• He calls out the apparent hypocrisy:

  “How does it make sense? Because that means Trump has an ally in Central America...” (05:12)

• Smith explains these pardons as part of Trump’s bid to build a cross-party coalition, and to maintain influence irrespective of election outcomes.

• He highlights how such actions confuse traditional partisan lines:

  “At some point in time, we just have to give the man credit. He’s shrewd as hell…he is giving the Democratic Party lessons. Lessons...on how to manipulate minds.” (Stephen A., 12:13)

• On optics and politics:

  “That is the greatest photo op a politician could ever have, ever.” (14:55, referencing Trump surviving the assassination attempt)

• Takeaway: Trump’s blend of unpredictability and tactical outreach is setting a new standard for political maneuvering; Democrats are urged to adapt accordingly.

2. Listener Calls: History, Paranoia, and Trump Support

[23:53 - 35:14]

• Stephen A. opens lines for callers, demonstrating a range of perspectives:

  David (San Francisco):

  • Compares Trump-era paranoia to Ancient Rome and Nazi Germany.
  • Smith challenges history-laden arguments as “flying over people’s heads,” saying voters prioritize immediate problems over historical analogies.

  “This is the problem with history buffs...they don’t care about how you’re utilizing history to make your point.” (28:00)

  Trevor (Carolina):

  • Self-described “unaffiliated,” sees Trump’s pardons as a move to retain Congressional seats.
  • Stephen A. affirms: “He’s playing chess. And the Democrats better learn how to play it themselves if they forgot – that’s what I’m saying.” (32:14)

  Charlie (Chicago):

  • Argues Trump and his family act only in self-interest.
  • Smith pushes back: “You can’t say he did nothing...when the borders have been secured, clearly significantly better than...during the Biden administration.” (34:07)

3. Interview: Scott Jennings (CNN Senior Political Commentator)

[35:14 - 50:00]

• On Trump’s Pardons (Juan Orlando Hernandez):

  • Jennings lays out the official rationale: overzealous prosecution/miscarriage of justice; acknowledges he’s personally less inclined to use the pardon power so liberally.

  “He thinks it was a miscarriage of justice. That’s the purpose of a pardon, I think, and that’s his decision to make and his to explain.” (36:06)

• On Trump’s Rhetoric and Grievances:

  • Jennings: “I do think sometimes his views on that get in the way...But I don’t really begrudge the president his feelings…he was...mistreated...by the legal system in ways that nobody else has ever been treated.” (37:50)
  • Smith presses for “letting go”; Jennings responds with empathy for Trump’s unique legal scrutiny.

• On Book, "A Revolution of Common Sense":

  • Jennings explains: Trump’s success lies in “framing of our politics as common sense,” attracting nontraditional Republicans and stressing high-stakes culture issues.

  “He takes nothing from the opposition...He does not allow the media to run over him. He fights back on everything.” (42:19)

• On Changes in the Republican Party:

  • Jennings attributes long-term party transformation to Trump’s combative ethos and policy departures (especially tariffs).
  • “The fighting attitude that he has imbued Republicans with, he will never, ever lose support...because people, frankly, were tired of being run over…” (42:19)

• On Navigating CNN as a Conservative Voice:

  “I go all over the country and I hear two things. I love you and I love the debates, or I don’t agree with you, but I love the debates.” (49:05)

• On Jan 6:

  • Remains critical: “It wasn’t a good day. We shouldn’t want that kind of a day.” (47:06)

4. Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)

[67:19 - 92:59]

• On the Presidential Pardon Power:

  “We need to abolish the constitutional president pardon power...it is archaic, a vestige of the past.” (68:43)

  • Calls for a constitutional amendment, citing abuses by both Trump and Biden.

• On Epstein Files Transparency:

  • Khanna and Rep. Massie’s legislation mandates release by Dec 19.

  “What do Americans want to know? They want to know who are the rich and powerful people who raped and abused underage girls.” (70:39)

  • Assures there are safeguards for document authenticity; penalties for tampering now codified.

• On Working Across the Aisle:

  • Praises bipartisan cooperation for policy breakthroughs, credits survivors and willingness to "share credit" in Congress:

  “Turns out when you build those kind of coalitions, you actually can get Trump to bend to your will.” (75:00s)

• On Democratic Strategy & Party Renewal:

  • Calls for generational change ("politicians make the same mistake as great athletes...they don’t know when to retire" (78:35)).
  • Advocates for big-tent, broad coalition-building and focusing on economic revitalization over anti-Trump messaging.
  • On Kamala Harris vs Gavin Newsom: “She [Harris] understands the broad coalition...she wasn’t handed anything in life...deeply authentic.” (87:52)

5. Listener Calls: Ideology and Political Future

[53:53 - 100:36]

• Malik (Harlem): Tries to blanket all Republicans as racist; Smith cuts the call, rejecting blanket labels.

  “I’m not letting anybody on either side of the aisle castigate an entire party of people like that. I’m not doing that.” (56:07)

• Amir: Pushes Stephen A. on Trump’s language toward immigrants/Africans; Stephen A. pivots to discussing strategic effectiveness and the need to play “chess” not “checkers” to beat Trump.

• Joe (Chicago): Says Republicans are losing due to Trump’s legal woes. Stephen A. challenges, asks for evidence, emphasizing the need for a credible electoral alternative.

• Mark (Ohio): Argues the real issue is affordability and economic anxiety, not just partisanship.

• Kendall (South Dakota): Republican voter, concerned about leftward political swing; Smith responds:

  “I don’t believe the far left is going to win the presidency...hell no. 80, 20. The hell with the 20 on the fringes.” (99:13)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Trump has played his card. It ain’t about just being the president. It’s about remaining in power even once you leave office.”
  (Stephen A., 03:52)

• “He is giving the Democratic Party lessons. Lessons. I mean, school is in session on how to manipulate minds…”
  (Stephen A., 12:13)

• “That is the greatest photo op a politician could ever have, ever.”
  (Stephen A., 14:55; on Trump’s shooting and recovery)

• On Democratic party strategy:

  “Stick with affordability issues, safety issues...Remind yourself what Bill Clinton, what Barack Obama and what Hillary Clinton are all caught on video saying years ago about the immigration crisis…It’s your only shot. Otherwise, Trump will reign.” (Stephen A., 21:18)

• Scott Jennings:

  “Politics is about choices...95% of the time [Trump’s] going to do what I want him to do and 0% of the time Kamala Harris is going to do what I want her to do…” (40:57)

  “The fighting attitude that he has imbued Republicans with, he will never, ever lose support from Republicans...” (42:19)

• Ro Khanna:

  “We need to abolish the constitutional president pardon power from the president. Trump has abused it. Biden abused it.” (68:43)

  “I have never thought...that I have a monopoly on the truth...you need to approach people who may disagree with you in good faith and learn from them...be open to compromise...” (80:29)

Important Timestamps

• Trump Pardon Analysis & Political Fallout: [02:11 - 21:48]
• Listener Calls (First Round): [23:53 - 35:14]
• Scott Jennings Interview: [35:14 - 52:05]
• Listener Calls (Second Round): [53:53 - 67:19]
• Rep. Ro Khanna Interview: [67:19 - 92:59]
• Final Calls & Closing Segment: [93:13 - 100:36]

Tone & Context

Stephen A. Smith navigates the episode with his trademark assertiveness, humor, and insistence on "real talk," keeping discussions grounded in practical politics and rebutting abstract theorizing or blind partisanship. His guests typify sharp, contrasting viewpoints but probe surprisingly deep for a broadcast-format show. The listener calls reinforce both the fractious tone of American politics and Stephen A.’s commitment to pushing for substance over empty rhetoric or blanket generalizations.

Conclusion

This jam-packed episode offers a vivid snapshot of American politics at the close of 2025: old rules bending, new alliances forming, and “chess” being played at all levels. If you want a fast, candid, and sometimes raw take on the week’s seismic political moves—with sharp guest analysis—this is Stephen A. “like you’ve never heard him,” and essential listening as the midterms approach.