*Stephen A. Smith has publicly apologized to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett following backlash over his previous remarks describing her language as “rhetoric for the streets.”
Speaking during a special episode of his podcast, “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.,” Smith acknowledged that he gained a new understanding of why his comments drew widespread criticism. He said that realization came after seeing how President Donald Trump repeatedly targeted Crockett, including calling her “low IQ.”
“I saw something disturbing in regards to President Donald Trump and how he came at Representative Jasmine Crockett…I get it now with Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him ammunition to continue to go out there and talk about our Black women that way—I got it,” Smith said.
“When Trump came at her like that, I said, ‘Damn it.’ I was pissed off because I said that’s what they’re talking about when they’re saying, ‘You know what, when you question something about her, it’s going to invite that,’” Smith continued.
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The ESPN host then offered a direct apology to Crockett, saying, “I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say I’m sorry for any…kind of noise I caused in your direction, because she is accomplished, and she is smart, and she does have an incredible, incredible challenge working in this political climate on Capitol Hill.”
Smith went on to express his support for Crockett’s political future. “I think she should be competing for the Senate seat in Texas or for the Attorney General spot, because she’s qualified,” he said.
He then noted that his initial criticism did not stem from disrespect or bias. “When somebody tries to take that to accuse me of being disrespectful or in any way misogynistic, I’m going to push back on that because that’s emphatically false. There’s no truth to that whatsoever, and I’m not accepting that, and I’m not owning that,” he stated.
“I want to help. I’m not trying to hurt, and I think being quiet and saying nothing and not challenging the strategy that’s been employed hurts us,” Smith explained.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m always right, and it doesn’t mean that I’m beyond apologizing,” he said in conclusion.
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