Stephen A. Smith says he is not running for president, but he is willing to debate President Donald Trump after Trump called him “dumb as a rock.”
Smith responded to Trump on his Straight Shooter podcast after the president attacked him on Truth Social over his criticism of Trump’s appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Smith had previously blamed Trump’s visit for disrupting the atmosphere around the New York Knicks’ home game against the San Antonio Spurs. During his response, he said the president’s presence led to increased security, traffic delays, and the cancellation of watch parties that fans had planned across the city.
“I begged for him not to come,” Smith said. “And then after the New York Knicks lost the damn game, I made it very, very clear before the game and after. I was pointing the finger at him.”
Trump later fired back, calling Smith an “arrogant fool” and “dumb as a rock” while also saying he was unqualified for political office.
Smith said he was surprised by the personal nature of the attack because Trump had previously spoken kindly about him.
“He’s always been nice to me,” Smith told his audience. “Of all the years that I’ve known Donald Trump, that’s the first mean-spirited thing he’s ever done to me personally.”
The sports personality warned Trump that he is not the one to play with.
“You try that with me. You think those one-liners gonna work, you got another thing coming,” he vented. “I do that every day. Every day,” letting the president know that he’s willing put both their IQs to the test.
“Name the time and place, and I’ll show up,” he said.
