RL Jasmine Crockett’s fiery words spark debate as Stephen A. Smith says she’s brilliant but playing to the streets.
Following backlash stemming his heated sentiments about Rep. Jasmine Crockett earlier this month, Stephen A. Smith is doubling down.
On the latest episode of his show, Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith, the commentator addressed the backlash.
“I have nothing but respect for [Crockett]. I just disagree on what she’s making headlines for because I think it’s counterproductive to the ultimate goal,” he explained. Throughout the 41-minute response, Smith feels Crockett is “just being an impediment to what Trump wants,” but claims he isn’t being disrespectful or misogynistic.
Smith stated, “Here we are, and the word ‘disrespect’ comes in and people try to engage with words, you know, like ‘disrespect’ and ‘implying misogyny’ and all of this other nonsense. Stop it. Can we be grown-ups and deal with what the real issue is involving what I said?”
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He called out some of the responses directly including Roland Martin, Angela Rye, Bakari Sellers, and Willie D’s, who accused Smith of “tearing down a Black woman who’s out here putting in real work.” Crockett previously reposted his statement, seemingly agreeing with it.
When redirecting his energy towards Crockett, Smith continued, “Ain’t nothing about [Crockett] stupid, ain’t nothing about her to dismiss or disrespect when it comes to her resume. Her success in delivering wins for her district is quote unquote, mixed.”
Smith feels “many of [Crockett’s] major efforts are still works in progress, bills stuck committees introduced but have stalled, etc. According to Congress.Gov, I’m just reading!” He added, “While she’s great at fundraising, the challenge for her was cultivating relationships in Congress. And what does that mean? Potentially going across the aisle when you don’t want to.”
He continued to question her effectiveness, stating, “What I was saying was, this educated, brilliant Black woman, representing 750,000 people, is engaging in verbiage and rhetoric for the streets.”
Watch Smith’s full response above.
