Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode: TRUMP’S CHAOTIC WORLD; CHRIS CUOMO; LARRY ELDER
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Guests: Chris Cuomo, Larry Elder

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode, Stephen A. Smith takes his signature incisive style "beyond the world of sports" into a heated discussion about the present U.S. political landscape, focusing on the Trump administration's policies, law enforcement controversies, and broader cultural divides. He is joined by media veteran Chris Cuomo and longtime conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, engaging in candid exchanges about America's direction, civil rights, race, and the 2026 midterm elections. Throughout, Smith takes listener calls, unpacking complex issues with both passion and humility.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stephen A. Smith’s Opening Monologue: Chaos Under Trump (00:38 – 19:00)

• Critique of Trump Leadership:
  Smith opens with a forceful critique of President Donald Trump and his administration, arguing that Trump's behavior and policy choices are sowing chaos, harming GOP prospects for the midterms and possibly the presidency.

  • “The man don't know how to act…if I saw him to his face, I’d tell him: he don't know how to act.” (04:46)

• Enforcement, Immigration, and Police Shootings:

  • Discussion of a recent controversial ICE-related shooting in Minnesota (Renee Goode case), and the use of federal force.
  • Smith distinguishes legal justification from moral:
    • “What I did say…is that morally, ethically, humanely, there's no justification. My God, where’s your humanity? What the hell are you doing shooting a woman in the head that was just trying to get away?” (13:36)

• Gestapo Comparisons and Joe Rogan Critique:

  • Cites Joe Rogan’s criticism of Trump’s tactics as "Gestapo-like," emphasizing the bipartisan discomfort with militarized law enforcement.
    • “He used the word gestapo. Now normally you’d listen to folks on the right, and they'd accuse you of hyperbole…what you gonna say about him now?” (15:28)

• Advice to Democrats:

  • Urges Democrats to avoid overreacting and to focus on affordability, healthcare, and leave Trump to his own chaos, predicting Trump's rhetoric could be his own undoing.

2. Interview: Chris Cuomo on Media, Politics, and Purpose (20:07 – 43:17)

• Cuomo’s New Role and Approach:

  • Chris Cuomo joins to discuss his new SiriusXM morning show; credits Stephen A. for encouraging him to expand his reach.
    • “Stephen A called me and said, listen, you need to have more reach than you have right now.” (20:40)

• Urgency of Real Conversations:

  • Both express concern about polarization and agree that “real talk” via radio can help people interact outside the distorted realm of social media.
    • Cuomo: “The antidote to the social media anonymity and the keyboard warrior is to get people talking to one another again.” (22:19)

• Navigating Media Attacks & Advice for Smith:

  • Cuomo describes personal and professional struggles post-CNN, emphasizing the importance of purpose over fame or money.
    • “I could have matched money, I could not have matched purpose.” (26:37)

• On Partisanship and Race in Media:

  • Cuomo admits the media leans more left but notes the right’s dominance in digital media. He highlights the additional pressures Smith faces as a Black man with complex political views.
    • “Everybody celebrates you and everybody wants to take a bite out of your ass. And you’re also a black man in America…there’s an expectation.” (30:16)

• Challenge for Democrats & Political Advice:

  • Both agree that if Democrats focus on Trump’s chaos and basic issues like affordability, they could win; but warn not to fall into distraction traps.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen A.: “I'm not a black conservative. I'm black with conservative views, but liberal views too.” (31:53)
• Cuomo: “When you're involved in politics, they will build you up, they will tear you down, and they are coming for you. And it is not a fair fight.” (28:10)
• Cuomo: “You’re in a unique position because everybody celebrates you and everybody wants to take a bite out of your ass. And you’re also a black man in America.” (30:16)

3. Listener Calls & Community Reaction (44:56 – 59:00)

• On ICE, Defunding, and Border Policy:

  • Smith fields calls from both Trump supporters and critics, discussing Minneapolis optics and the political calculus of defunding ICE.
    • “First order of business is to get him to be quiet…it's not working for you.” (45:30)
    • Reminder that many anti-immigrant voices are from legal immigrants themselves:
      • “We’re a mosaic…because we’re embracing people from all walks of this earth.” (46:17)

• Long-Term Problems with Federal-State Cooperation:

  • Callers and Smith discuss the breakdown in local/federal cooperation on law enforcement since the Trump administration.
    • “The level of cooperation that no longer exists…is a huge, huge question.” (54:48)

4. Interview: Larry Elder – The Conservative Counter (59:02 – 87:02)

On Immigration and Law Enforcement:

• Elder strongly supports Trump’s border policies, criticizes sanctuary cities, and argues that local governments’ refusal to cooperate with ICE forces dangerous street arrests.
  • “If you don't want the ICE people in the streets, allow them into the jails, allow them into the prisons. Don’t be a sanctuary state.” (59:35)

Renee Goode Shooting Debate:

• Elder argues Renee Goode was “radicalized” and that ICE was targeting violent criminals. He defends the agent’s use of deadly force.

  • “Comply, you won’t die.” (66:32)

• Smith pushes back, questioning moral and humane alternatives:

  • “From a humanity standpoint, you could have avoided shooting the woman in the head.” (65:53)

Trump Derangement and Media Bias:

• Elder attributes negative perceptions of Trump to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” alleging that bias is impervious to facts.
  • “If the man cured cancer, all of a sudden, cancer would be a good thing.” (67:41)

On Black Conservatism and Systemic Racism:

• Elder claims that the most pressing issues in Black America are not systemic racism but family breakdown, education, and crime, all linked to Democratic policies.
  • “The real issues in America are not systemic racism, they're the breakdown of the nuclear intact family.” (76:25)
• Smith challenges, noting the undeniable historical and residual effects of systemic racism.
  • “Can those things be true but still be assisted by a level of systemic racism that at least plagued us?” (79:15)
• Elder rejects that framing, arguing Obama “played the race card” and that Democrats have a “skanky record.”
  • “Republicans in my opinion have a much better record on civil rights.” (85:46)

On the 2026 Midterms and Trump’s Prospects:

• Elder is confident Trump’s accomplishments will resonate, listing economic growth, border security, and foreign policy wins.

Notable Quotes

• Elder: “Comply, you won’t die.” (66:32)
• Elder: “If ICE is rounding up citizens, tell me who they are...If there's any evidence...I'd be the first to scream about that.” (69:06)
• Smith: “Can two things be true...but still be assisted by a level of systemic racism...?” (79:15)

5. Final Listener Calls & Show Reflections (88:40 – End)

• Confirmation Bias and Polarization:

  • Smith reminds listeners that confirmation bias and unwillingness to consider opposing viewpoints fuels division.
    • “You have to be a grownup and listen to people that have a different point of view.” (89:15)

• Independents on the Rise:

  • Smith highlights a Gallup poll showing independents now outnumber both Democrats and Republicans, warning Trump’s chaos could cost him the center.

• Parallel Case – Ashley Babbitt:

  • A caller compares the Capitol insurrection shooting to Renee Goode, with Smith emphasizing the unique context of January 6th.

• Final Reflections:

  • Smith concludes visibly exhausted but energized by the charged debates, praising honesty and an openness to fact-checking.

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:38 | Monologue: Trump, chaos & ICE | Smith’s critique of Trump’s leadership and law enforcement excess | | 13:36 | Ethics vs. legality in shootings | Smith on humanity and police violence | | 20:07 | Chris Cuomo Interview Begins | Cuomo’s media journey and personal philosophy | | 28:10 | Cuomo’s media advice to Smith | “They are coming for you. And it is not a fair fight.” | | 36:46 | On Trump’s “Distractions” | Cuomo: “Trump wants to fight, not fix.” | | 59:02 | Larry Elder Interview Begins | Elder defends ICE, critiques sanctuary cities, and attacks Dems | | 65:53 | On use of deadly force in MN shooting | Smith/Elder debate over police shooting ethics | | 76:25 | Black conservatism and systemic racism | Elder downplays systemic racism, Smith pushes back | | 88:40 | Listener: Confirmation bias discussion | Tackling polarization and the need for honest debate | | 94:17 | Rise of Political Independents | Smith on how chaos may help Independents |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Smith on Trump’s Mic Addiction:
  “I never heard what the word is that defines somebody addicted to carrying a microphone. ... I got nothing on Trump, not a damn thing.” (07:49)

• Cuomo on Political Media:
  “Negativity as a proxy for insight. And the bigger you get, the bigger a target you are.” (28:10)

• Smith on Race and Ideology:
  “I'm not a black conservative. I'm black with conservative views, but liberal views too.” (31:53)

• Elder’s Mantra:
  “Comply, you won’t die.” (66:32)

• Smith on Dialogue:
  “No, you gotta be a grownup and listen to people that have a different point of view and deduce whether or not they're making sense or not.” (89:15)

Tone & Language

• Candid, Fiery, and Unapologetic:
  • Smith is passionate, direct, and self-reflective. He challenges his callers and guests but grants them space to air their views.
• Chris Cuomo:
  • Empathetic but wary, stressing the toll of public visibility and the need for genuine conversation.
• Larry Elder:
  • Blunt, data-heavy, and unwavering in conservative orthodoxy, delivering arguments with both humor and intensity.

Conclusion

This episode is a raucous, unfiltered journey through some of America’s thorniest cultural and political disputes, featuring spirited debate, cross-partisan critique, and a range of voices. Listeners are left with hard questions about leadership, law enforcement morality, race, and media’s role in shaping debate, all delivered in Stephen A. Smith’s singular, vibrant style.