Stephen A. Smith Responds After Former First Lady Targets ESPN.
In a surprising and controversial moment, former First Lady Michelle Obama took a jab at ESPN — and longtime host Stephen A. Smith — during a recent appearance on her brother Craig Robinson’s podcast, IMO.
She accused ESPN of turning sports coverage into soap opera drama, saying, “If I listen to ESPN for an hour, it’s like watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Obama went further, suggesting that sports media has become little more than “sociological drama,” singling out Smith in the process.
“Stephen A. Smith, he’s just like every other… yelling, arguing, and not getting along,” Obama claimed.
Smith Fires Back: “I Took Major Offense”
Stephen A. Smith, one of the most recognized voices in sports journalism, didn’t stay silent. Responding on his own platform, Smith challenged not only Obama’s views on sports but also her divisive political messaging during the 2024 election.
“When you were campaigning for Kamala Harris, you said a vote for Donald Trump was a vote against women,” Smith recalled. “I took major offense to that.”
Smith pointed out that Americans have a wide range of concerns when heading to the ballot box — and it’s not always about social justice or identity politics.
“For many voters, it’s the economy. It’s national security. It’s border protection. It’s law and order in our communities,” he said. “You can’t emotionally blackmail people into voting one way.”
Smith Questions Democratic Tactics
Though he admitted he supported Harris in 2024 and didn’t vote for Trump, Smith criticized how the Democratic Party operated during the election cycle.
“I wasn’t thrilled about some of the games the Democrats were playing,” he added. “And Madam First Lady, as someone revered and respected, I didn’t appreciate the way you tried to sway the public emotionally.”
Smith’s comments strike at the heart of what many conservatives have argued for years — that Democrats use fear and emotional pressure to manipulate voters rather than appeal to real-world issues like inflation, crime, and sovereignty.
“Reality TV and Sports Are Not the Same”
Smith also pushed back hard on Obama’s comparison between professional sports and staged reality television.
“Reality TV is designed and edited to provoke,” he said. “But sports? That’s live competition. It’s real. It matters. And millions of Americans care about it deeply.”
The implication that passionate sports fans are merely watching glorified soap operas rubbed many the wrong way — especially from someone with Michelle Obama’s platform and influence.
Respectful, But Firm: “You’re Wrong About Us”
Smith ended his comments by maintaining a respectful tone but making it clear that he strongly disagrees with the former First Lady.
“You’ll never hear me disrespect you,” he said. “But I remain salty about what you said — both about ESPN and about voters like me.”
This clash between a liberal icon and a high-profile media voice reflects a broader cultural divide in America — where elitist messaging from political figures continues to alienate everyday Americans who value free speech, personal responsibility, and common sense.
If this feud continues, don’t expect Stephen A. Smith to back down anytime soon. And judging by the public reaction, he’s far from alone.
