Obama called Stephen A Smith after he criticized Biden, commentator reveals
ESPN commentator and podcaster Steven A Smith has revealed that former president Barack Obama called him prior to the 2024 presidential election after he had criticized Joe Biden to discuss the extent of his influence.
Smith called for Biden to suspend his campaign on his self-titled show in July 2024, shortly before the Democrat did so to make way for his deputy Kamala Harris, observing that he “seems to have lost the step.”
The pundit expressed concern over the elderly president’s cognitive decline after reviewing his recent public appearances, including his disastrous TV debate with Donald Trump.
“Watching him walk, talk, speak, articulate himself, watching him drift and fade, mumble and stumble… Can you do this for four more years?” he asked.
Smith later expressed regret over his subsequent vote for Harris and criticized Biden for pardoning his son Hunter after he was convicted of three federal gun charges and later pled guilty to tax charges.
Speaking to The Culture Table about the reaction his comments provoked, Smith told hosts Tori Cooper, Sumatra Abernathy and Ashley Christopher about Obama’s intervention for the first time.
“What I never told y’all, and I never brought up, is that Barack Obama called me too,” he said. “The content of that conversation will remain private because I will not violate trust. He called before the election to discuss my impact, but he didn’t come on the podcast either.
“It was after I said that we need a new president because Joe Biden clearly was done. You know, he clearly looked done. So the point is, folks like to talk to me privately, but then when I ask them to come on camera and to have a fruitful discussion, now they go elsewhere.”
He continued: “So it’s like I’m taking these hits, and these are people that want to facilitate or assist in the facilitation of these narratives being disseminated and projected about me.
“But the same people calling me privately, having discussions upon which I have never violated. This is the first time anyone has ever heard me publicly state that Barack Obama called me.”
Smith – who has previously attacked Obama’s wife, former first lady Michelle Obama – went on to name other prominent Democrats who have so far declined to guest on his podcast, including Harris, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Asked why they were reluctant, he answered: “I think the Democrats fear my footsteps. I think they know that they have a legitimate fear that I can influence the election potentially.”
Smith was given a “Thumbs Down” award by the National Association of Black Journalists at its annual convention in August, which is handed out to members of the media it feels have not made a helpful contribution to the national debate.
He reacted angrily to the NABJ on social media and told the Culture Table hosts: “The reality is that it was a personal hit job. We can sit up there and lollygag around and act like we don’t know any better.
“It was a personal hit job. Which, by the way, usually doesn’t phase me. I know you think something phases me, just because you see me commenting on it. No, I’m in this business. I have a platform. I can comment about anything I want to, and I will continue to do so.
“That’s not what this is. This is different. This is a journalism organization that didn’t engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me.”
Smith has hinted at a future presidential run himself but has a long history of personal feuds with everyone from comedian Kevin Hart and former MS NOW anchor Joy Reid to legendary NBA star LeBron James.
President Trump has also shared his opinions on Smith, calling him “dumb as a rock,” an “arrogant fool” and a “loudmouth huckster” on Truth Social earlier this summer.
