{"id":2612065,"date":"2026-06-08T15:14:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T19:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stephen-a-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-for-attending-knicks-game\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T15:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T19:16:14","slug":"stephen-a-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-for-attending-knicks-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stephen-a-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-for-attending-knicks-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith calls Trump &#8216;narcissistic&#8217; for attending Knicks game\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstephen-a-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-for-attending-knicks-game%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612065&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized President Donald Trump for planning to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison square Garden, calling the visit \u201cselfish,\u201d \u201cnarcissistic,\u201d and \u201cridiculous.\u201d On ESPN\u2019s *First Take*, he argued Trump\u2019s presence would worsen traffic and congestion, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russia-cuts-finlands-electric-supply\/\" title=\"Russia Cuts Finland\u2019s Electric Supply\">disrupt security<\/a> and logistics during one of New York City\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >biggest sports events<\/a>, and burden local residents already dealing with crowds from the Knicks\u2019 first NBA finals home game in decades.<\/p>\n<p>Smith said his viewpoint is not partisan,adding he would make the same criticism of any president. Trump\u2019s expected arrival has led to heightened Secret Service and NYPD <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ken-cuccinelli-fence-being-built-around-u-s-capitol\/\" title=\"Ken Cuccinelli: Fence being built around U.S. Capitol\">security measures<\/a>, road closures, traffic restrictions, and additional screenings, with limited access points around the arena. Smith also claimed ticket prices have risen, outpricing many fans, and that an official watch party outside the arena was canceled. New York Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed criticism,saying Knicks fans just want to enjoy the game and questioning Trump\u2019s interest in the team.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sports commentator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/stephen-a-smith\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10345\">Stephen A. Smith<\/a> criticized President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> planned appearance at Game 3 of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nba\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"493\">NBA<\/a> finals on Monday, calling the visit \u201cnarcissistic\u201d and arguing the president\u2019s attendance creates unnecessary security disruptions during one of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"286\">New York City\u2019s<\/a> biggest sporting events. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking on ESPN\u2019s First Take, Smith said Trump\u2019s presence at Madison Square Garden would worsen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/traffic\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2946\">traffic<\/a> and congestion in a city already dealing with large crowds attending the New York Knicks\u2019 first NBA Finals home game in decades. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4594798\/nba-knicks-trump-mamdani\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump and Mamdani unlikely to meet at Knicks game<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4598270\/knicks-security-trump-nba-finals\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Knicks implement \u2018strict\u2019 security measures with Trump in town for NBA Finals<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4598282\/iran-soccer-team-world-cup-visas\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Iran\u2019s soccer team leaves for World Cup as some officials still await US visas<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe president has no business showing up in New York City,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith said his criticism was not partisan and that he would make the same argument regardless of which president occupied the White House. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI would say the same thing with Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton,\u201d Smith said.\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t give a damn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump is expected to attend Game 3 between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. The visit has prompted <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4598270\/knicks-security-trump-nba-finals\/\">heightened security measures<\/a> from the Secret Service, the New York Police Department, and other federal and local agencies. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Road closures, traffic restrictions, and additional security screenings have been implemented around the arena and throughout parts of Midtown Manhattan. Motorcade routes are typically secured before a presidential arrival, while access points around the venue are restricted to credentialed personnel and ticket holders. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith argued those measures added burden on a city already hosting thousands of fans and visitors for the game. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re the president of the United States,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThat means whenever you show up, it\u2019s not just the Secret Service,\u201d Smith said. \u201cSecurity is compromised, and all of this other stuff. You don\u2019t do work in New York City. New York City is congested business.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also pointed to fan events taking place throughout the city and said residents would bear the brunt of logistical challenges associated with a presidential visit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-trump-and-mamdani-unlikely-to-meet-at-knicks-game\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4594798\/nba-knicks-trump-mamdani\/?itm_source=parsely-api\"><strong>TRUMP AND MAMDANI UNLIKELY TO MEET AT KNICKS GAME<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe got avenues shut off, we got streets shut off,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWhat happened to the White House?\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith added that Trump\u2019s attendance has sent ticket prices soaring, outpricing Knicks\u2019 fans, and security measures have led the official watch party outside Madison Square Garden to be canceled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith isn\u2019t the only New Yorker to criticize the visit from Trump. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier that \u201cKnicks fans just want to enjoy Game 3.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt also is not clear to me that Donald Trump is a big Knicks fan,\u201d Jeffries said at a press conference. \u201cI mean, does this guy even know the difference between Karl Rove and Karl-Anthony Towns? I don\u2019t think so. He\u2019s just injecting himself into the NBA Finals because he always has to bring the MAGA circus into town, and that\u2019s unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stephen A. Smith called Trump\u2019s NBA Finals visit \u201cnarcissistic,\u201d saying it will disrupt NYC security and traffic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2612066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-collage-mu1b6qjjr-1775748551974-e1775749985541.jpg?1775735927&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32319,7873,5894,3847,32150],"class_list":["post-2612065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-donald-trump","tag-nba","tag-politics","tag-sports","tag-stephen-a-smith"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-collage-mu1b6qjjr-1775748551974-e1775749985541.jpg?1775735927&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612065"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612069,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612065\/revisions\/2612069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}