President Donald Trump isn’t exactly known for sugarcoating his opinions, and on Monday he delivered another trademark political haymaker, this time aimed squarely at ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith.
The exchange began after Smith blasted Trump for attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York City. During ESPN’s First Take, Smith accused the president of being “selfish” and “narcissistic” for making the trip, arguing that security measures surrounding a presidential visit would create headaches for New Yorkers.
“This president has no business showing up in New York City,” Smith declared. “It is selfish. It is narcissistic.”
He even joked that if the hometown Knicks lost, Trump would somehow deserve the blame.
Unfortunately for New York fans, the Knicks did lose.
And Trump didn’t miss the opportunity to respond.
After the game, a reporter asked the president about Smith’s comments and reminded him that the ESPN host has repeatedly flirted with the idea of running for president himself.
Trump’s answer was vintage Trump.
“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.”
Just like that, any lingering presidential speculation surrounding the sports commentator found itself on the receiving end of a Trump flamethrower.
The irony is that Smith himself has often admitted he isn’t qualified to be president. Yet at various points he has also floated the possibility of a White House run while insisting he could defeat both Democrats and Republicans if he ever entered the race.
Last year, Smith boldly claimed, “I think I can beat them all.”
More recently, however, reality appears to have intervened.
During a podcast appearance with Sean Hannity, Smith effectively shelved the idea, explaining that he wasn’t interested in taking the massive financial hit that would come with leaving ESPN.
“If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening,” Smith said.
It’s a fair point.
The ESPN star reportedly earns close to $40 million annually. The president of the United States earns $400,000.
That’s not exactly a lateral move.
Still, Smith continues to attract political attention because of his increasingly frequent commentary on national issues. Although he describes himself as a centrist, critics note that he has consistently backed left-leaning candidates and causes while portraying himself as an independent voice.
For Trump supporters, Monday’s exchange was another example of the president doing what he does best: delivering an unscripted, headline-grabbing response that instantly dominates the news cycle.
For Smith, it was a reminder that talking about running for president is a lot easier than surviving the scrutiny that comes with it.
And if Trump’s assessment is any indication, Stephen A. Smith’s presidential campaign may have ended before it ever began.