Stephen A. Smith States That Donald Trump is ‘Not Against Black People’
Stephen A. Smith States That Donald Trump is ‘Not Against Black People’
ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith raised a couple of eyebrows when commenting about the former president of the United States, Donald Trump. The sports announcer who is known for making controversial statements in his day-to-day employment says he has known the real estate mogul for years and insists that Trump is “not against black people.”
Smith took to the stage earlier this week at the Semafor Media Summit on Monday. He did tell the audience that he has talked to Trump for many years. In many conversations with him, he states that the prospective Republican presidential nominee was a huge sports fan and he’s thrown several events at venues he has owned and operated. But, this was before Trump had presidential aspirations.
“I knew Trump before he ran for the presidency. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to him. He was a huge sports fan. He used to throw a lot of events at … you know, at his casinos and stuff like that, and I genuinely liked him,” Smith said before adding, “I didn’t know who this guy was running for president.
“I think he’s changed, but I will tell you this: I think when people call him racist and stuff like that, I’ve never thought of Trump that way,” Smith continued. “He’s not against black people, he’s against all things not named Trump.”
He added to that statement by saying, “There’s a difference.”
During the discussion, Smith also admitted to also having conservative views and that he is not “beyond voting Republican” but he also clarified that, “I am beyond voting for Trump.”
He mentioned that his feelings about Trump are not because of the former president’s politics but because the presidency required “statesmanship.” He feels that the president shouldn’t divide the country but that person should want to galvanize it.
.@stephenasmith says he no longer talks to Trump: “I think he’s changed, but I will tell you this: I think when people call him racist and stuff like that, I’ve never thought of Trump that way. He’s not against black people, he’s against all things not named Trump.” pic.twitter.com/oFcOra6zkL
— Semafor (@semafor) April 10, 2023
Although Trump has thrown his hat into the ring to run for the presidency again, he is facing multiple court challenges that threaten his freedom to take office if he is elected.
Last week, Trump, 76, became the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges. He was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in a case stemming from a 2016 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump also faces a separate criminal probe by a Democratic local prosecutor in Georgia into whether he unlawfully tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in the state. He also faces two U.S. Justice Department investigations led by a special counsel into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
Stephen A. Smith States That Donald Trump is ‘Not Against Black People’
