Trump mocks – After the Knicks lost following President Donald Trump’s June 8 appearance at Madison Square Garden, Trump joked that Stephen A. Smith lacked the “aptitude” and “high IQ” to run for president. Smith, once teasing a Democratic run earlier in Trump’s second term
President Donald Trump may have spent June 8 with the lights on and the NBA Finals on the brain at Madison Square Garden—but when Stephen A. Smith’s criticism came calling afterward, he didn’t sound in the mood to be diplomatic.
Trump, 79, was asked about Smith after the game. The sports analyst and diehard Knicks fan had been sharply critical of the president’s decision to attend the Finals before Monday. going so far as to say he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost. And when the Knicks fell in a nail-biter. Trump returned to the White House with a laugh that quickly turned combative.
“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said. “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does, actually.”
The jab landed after Smith. 58. had once teased a presidential run as a Democrat at the beginning of Trump’s second term. But he stepped back from the idea in March. telling viewers: “I don’t think I’m running… because I’ve got to give up my money. Let me put the presidential aspirations to bed. If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening.”.
When Smith learned of Trump’s comments, he didn’t bite back on the “low IQ” line. Instead, on the June 9 edition of First Take, Smith framed the loss as proof of what he feared would happen the moment the president showed up in New York.
“Our president showed up to New York City last night … and needless to say, what I feared would happen ended up happening: The New York Knicks lost,” Smith said.
“Obviously I’m blaming him,” Smith continued. “The president disrupted our mojo. I’ve said this on many occasions over the last 24 hours, and I am saying it again: The man messed things up.”
The timing made the exchange hit harder. The Knicks entered Trump’s Madison Square Garden visit on a 13-game playoffs winning streak, and the president’s attendance came at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The back-and-forth also doesn’t land in a vacuum. Smith’s on-air habits have a way of turning sports talk into something sharper—especially once the cameras start rolling. He tends to speak more freely on radio in “Straight Shooter with Stephen A. ” where he discusses politics and pop culture and has more openly criticized Trump. including his comments on the war in Iran and gerrymandering.
He’s also been known to stretch feuds out for a long time, including using his shows to air grievances at conservative sports analyst Jason Whitlock for years.
For now. the Knicks are the backdrop and the stakes were immediate—but this is the kind of fight that has room to grow. especially with Smith having already staked his claim that Trump’s appearance changed the team’s rhythm. and Trump having made clear he’s not going to treat the criticism as off-limits.
Donald Trump Stephen A. Smith First Take NBA Finals Knicks Madison Square Garden politics aptitude high IQ