Stephen A. Smith says Trump played Dems ‘like a fiddle’ at SOTU
An ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith, criticized democrats for their behavior during Donald Trump’s State of the Union, saying Trump “played them like a fiddle” and that they fell for his bait. On his SiriusXM Politics of the United States show, he condemned Democrats’ heckling and exits, arguing Trump’s framing—asking the audience to stand for “Americans” over “illegal immigrants”—was a strategic move that highlighted what he sees as the Democrats’ missteps and losses in 2024. Smith warned that Democrats are failing by reacting to the president’s words rather of exploiting his policy setbacks in areas like the Supreme Court, tariffs, and deportations, urging them not to keep falling for the same tactics. He also noted he had previously teased a 2028 Democratic run but now thinks it would be unwise, describing himself as fiscally conservative and saying, despite often aligning with Democrats, he has at times viewed Trump’s leadership more favorably then the party, which he argues currently lacks a clear leader.
Stephen A. Smith says Trump played Democrats ‘like a fiddle’ after State of the Union
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith sharply rebuked Democrats’ behavior during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and said they fell for Trump’s “bait.”
During his Politics of the United States show on SiriusXM, Smith ranted about Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress and pointed part of his outrage at Democrats’ heckling and abrupt exits.
“Where it really took a turn for the worse, as far as I’m concerned, was when Trump played the Democrats, pulled the okie doke on them, played them like a fiddle, and the Democrats fell for it hook, line, and sinker,” Smith said.
Smith also discussed how Democrats didn’t stand up when Trump prompted the audience to stand if they supported Americans over illegal immigrants and said it was a strategic move by the president because he “knew the optics.”
“He didn’t say white Americans or black Americans. He said Americans, meaning that no matter what. … The fact that he said American before everyone else is a reminder of what lost them the election in 2024,” Smith said.
The defiance by Democrats, Smith said, shows voters why the party is not able to accomplish much, citing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) shouting insults at the president during the event.
“Why in God’s name should any Democratic voter out there believe for one second that these politicians who represent folks on the Left are going to be able to get anything done,” Smith asked.
In his fierce criticism, Smith also ripped Trump, calling him “blind economically,” but said the greater failure is on the Left. He said Democrats are too busy responding to the president’s words rather than capitalizing on his losses in the Supreme Court, citing rulings on tariffs and deportations.
“We’re seeing time and time … again, stop falling for the bait. You’re playing right into his hands,” Smith said. “[Democrats] are not giving us enough to support because you keep falling for the same old same old every single time.”
The sports pundit has teased a 2028 Democratic presidential run in the past, but after the events at the State of the Union, he said the choice would not be wise, as he would “be cussing people out left and right.”
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Last year, Trump said he would “love” to see Smith run, saying he has “great entertainment skills.”
Although he has been critical, Smith has said he typically aligns with Democrats but is fiscally conservative. He’s had a positive view of Trump’s leadership in comparison to Democrats, who he says have no leader.
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