AT A GLANCE
- Don Lemon publicly criticized Stephen A. Smith during a recent episode of The Don Lemon Show.
- Lemon accused Smith of “cozying up” to conservative figures and making excuses for white audiences.
- The criticism comes amid backlash over Smith’s comments about several prominent women, including Jasmine Crockett, Kamala Harris, and Joy Reid.
- Crockett and Reid both weighed in, echoing concerns about Smith’s rhetoric and media positioning.
Smith Has Come Under Fire in Recent Months for Comments Toward Prominent Black Women And Now His Alliance with Meghan Kelly
Stephen A. Smith is facing renewed criticism as prominent media figures and elected officials call out what they see as a troubling pattern in his recent political commentary, particularly remarks directed at Black women and his growing alignment with conservative media voices.
The latest rebuke came from Don Lemon, who used a recent episode of The Don Lemon Show to directly address Smith and his expanding presence beyond sports media. Lemon did not mince words, calling the longtime ESPN personality “a disappointment” and questioning both his credibility and intentions as Smith increasingly weighs in on political and cultural issues.
Lemon argued that Smith has gone viral “for all the wrong reasons” in recent months, pointing to comments Smith has made about high-profile women including Joy Reid, Kamala Harris, and others. According to Lemon, Smith frequently speaks on topics he does not fully understand while presenting opinion as fact, often targeting Black figures in ways that play well with conservative audiences.
During the show, Lemon accused Smith of appearing on right-wing platforms and using his own program to criticize Black people while excusing or minimizing the actions of white conservatives. He mocked Smith’s signature loud delivery, suggesting volume has replaced substance, and said Smith seems to believe his tone alone gives his arguments weight.
Lemon also took issue with what he described as Smith’s “cozying up” to conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, suggesting the motivation is financial rather than principled. Lemon argued that there is a lucrative market for Black commentators willing to bash Black communities or validate white conservative talking points, and implied Smith has leaned into that role.
“He’s one of those Black people that white people think Black people like — and we don’t,” Lemon said, adding that Smith does not represent the broader Black community.
Smith’s criticism of Jasmine Crockett has been a frequent flashpoint. Crockett herself responded after seeing Lemon’s comments shared online, echoing the criticism and warning against what she framed as Smith’s willingness to undermine Black voices at a critical political moment.
Lemon’s remarks also follow pointed comments from Reid, who recently addressed Smith’s claims that she was fired from MSNBC due to ratings. Reid pushed back forcefully, noting that Smith received a massive contract despite drawing lower ratings at times, and arguing that his value to media executives lies less in numbers and more in his willingness to say things about Black people that others cannot or will not.
Together, the responses from Lemon, Crockett, and Reid underscore a growing backlash against Smith’s political pivot. What began as occasional commentary has, for critics, evolved into a consistent pattern that they say prioritizes controversy, clout, and conservative validation over accountability or community responsibility.
As Smith continues to expand his media footprint beyond sports, the criticism shows no sign of slowing and the debate over who gets to speak for whom, and at what cost, remains front and center.
