Trump hits back at Stephen A. Smith after ESPN analyst ranted he would blame president for Knicks defeat
President Trump responded to Stephen A. Smith’s criticism before departing New York in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The ESPN analyst had gone on a tirade, stating that he would blame the president if the Knicks lost Game 3 in the NBA finals.
Smith, who has been rumored as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 election, expressed his disapproval of Trump attending Monday night’s game at Madison Square Garden. He boldly claimed, “If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him.”
Upon being questioned about Smith’s comments at JFK Airport, Trump initially described the pundit as a “nice guy” but then proceeded to question his intelligence. The president remarked, “You need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I’m not sure Stephen has that. I don’t think he does.”
Accompanied by his granddaughter Kai, Trump made history by becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA finals game. He showed his respect for the NYPD officers carrying the American flag during the National Anthem.
Meanwhile, Smith’s criticism of Trump’s attendance at the game escalated into an impassioned on-air rant. He declared, “If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him,” sparking laughter in the studio. Smith vowed to relentlessly criticize the president if the Knicks suffered a defeat.
Branding Trump’s decision to attend the game as “selfish and narcissistic,” Smith asserted that the president had no business showing up in New York City. He clarified that his opposition would have been the same regardless of the party affiliation of the sitting president.
Despite Smith’s fervent disapproval, the Knicks lost the game 115-111, putting them behind in the series by 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. Trump’s presence at the NBA finals game stirred controversy and debate, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the intense series between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
