Key facts
- Stephen A. Smith is open to debating President Trump.
- The feud escalated after Trump called Smith an 'arrogant fool' and questioned his intelligence.
- Smith suggested Trump debate him directly rather than deferring to others.
- Smith referenced a video of Trump appearing to nap during an NBA Finals game.
- Smith stated he is not interested in running for president.
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has indicated he is willing to debate President Donald Trump, following a public exchange where Trump questioned Smith's intelligence. The dispute originated from Smith's comments about Trump's attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks lost.
Smith proposed that he and Trump debate each other on policy matters. Trump, however, had previously labeled Smith a 'low IQ individual' who would be 'annihilated in a debate.' Responding to these remarks on CNN's 'State of the Union,' Smith stated, 'Why don’t you do it yourself? Because I’d be more than happy to sit across from the president and debate some of the decisions that he’s made.'
Smith clarified that he has no interest in running for president, preferring his current career. He reiterated his willingness to debate Trump, saying, 'Put me at the same table as you, and we could have a discussion... about some decisions you’ve made... And we’ll see where my IQ lands then.'