Stephen A. Smith Apologizes To Rep. Jasmine Crockett After Slamming Her For Criticizing Trump

Stephen A Smith says he's sorry.

via: Baller Alert

Stephen A. Smith stepped away from sports this week to clear the air on something that’s been following him for weeks. On Wednesday, the ESPN host shared a video on X titled “An Apology to Jasmine Crockett.” The clip, which he called a special edition of his Straight Shooter podcast, featured Smith taking responsibility for how his earlier comments were received and explaining what really happened.

He began by apologizing for not addressing the controversy sooner, saying he had been recovering from emergency double root canal surgery. But the bigger reason, he explained, was that he recently saw how Donald Trump went after Rep. Jasmine Crockett and felt the need to speak up.

“This has nothing to do with sports,” Smith said in the video. “This has to do with a whole brouhaha that’s been going on with me over the last few weeks. I wanted to take this opportunity to address it because I saw something disturbing about how Trump came at Representative Jasmine Crockett.”

Smith admitted that he now understands why some people thought he should have been more protective of Crockett when the topic first came up. “If you came to me and said it came across dismissive, that I should have been more protective of her, I understand that,” he said. “And for that, I apologize to my sister.”

Throughout the video, Smith made it clear that he never intended to disrespect Crockett or any other Black woman. He said his questions about her approach in Congress were meant to spark conversation, not criticism, and that he now recognizes how Trump’s attacks gave new meaning to the controversy.

“When Trump came at her like that, I was pissed off,” Smith said. “That’s what people meant when they said, ‘When you question her, it invites that.’ I understand that now.”

He also addressed accusations that his tone toward Crockett was misogynistic, calling those claims false. “If she tries to take that and accuse me of being misogynistic, I’m going to push back because that’s emphatically false,” he said. “There’s no truth to that whatsoever, and I’m not accepting that.”

Still, Smith took accountability for how his words were interpreted and emphasized that he’s always open to self-reflection. “I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say I’m sorry for any kind of noise I caused in your direction,” he said.

In the video, Smith went on to praise Crockett’s intelligence, leadership, and political future, calling her one of the most impressive figures in Washington. “I think Jasmine Crockett should be competing for the Senate seat in Texas or the Attorney General spot because she’s qualified,” he said. “She’s accomplished, she’s smart, and she has an incredible challenge working in this political climate.”

Smith explained that his intent was never to tear Crockett down but to push for strategy and progress within the Democratic Party. “We need resistance to what we see going on in the streets of America,” he said. “I asked a question because I want her to keep growing and leading.”

He also made it clear that his motivation comes from a place of love and care for the Black community, not criticism. “Most of the trouble I get in is because I care about our community,” Smith said. “I’m not here to hurt. I’m here to help.”

Before ending the video, Smith extended an invitation to Rep. Crockett, along with other political figures like AOC, to join him for a live town hall discussion next month in Washington, D.C. “Nobody’s hiding because we’re all supposed to be in this together,” he said.

He closed by reaffirming his respect for Crockett and her work. “I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she’s accomplished,” he said. “She’s doing incredible work, and I appreciate how hard she fights for what she believes in.”

The apology was one of Smith’s most personal and reflective moments yet, showing a side of him rarely seen on camera. While he didn’t back away from his opinions, he made it clear that he values accountability and respect above all.