ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith responded forcefully to a past statement from former First Lady Michelle Obama that voting for President Donald Trump was a vote against all women. Smith, speaking on his podcast, said the remark continues to anger him and framed it as emotionally manipulative political rhetoric.
Smith said he had long respected Michelle Obama and her influence, even stating she could have defeated President Trump had she run. However, he criticized her remarks as unfair and reductive, arguing that voters consider numerous policy issues—such as national security, the economy, and border control—when casting ballots.
“You will never hear me utter a negative word about you,” Smith said, addressing the former First Lady. “But I respectfully disagreed and still remain pretty salty about what you said about us.”
Smith clarified he did not vote for Trump and instead supported Kamala Harris. However, he took issue with how Democratic Party leaders handled the primary process and expressed disappointment over President Joe Biden’s performance. He emphasized that his defense of voters who supported Trump is rooted in the belief that Americans should not be shamed for prioritizing policies over identity politics.
In the same podcast episode, Smith also rejected Michelle Obama’s recent comparison of ESPN to a reality TV show like The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The former First Lady made the analogy while discussing the drama often seen on sports debate shows. Smith called the comparison misguided, arguing that sports are genuine contests based on performance, not scripted drama. He pushed back against what he saw as an oversimplification of sports journalism.
The exchange highlights growing cultural tensions over political messaging and the use of emotional appeals in national discourse. Smith’s comments have sparked debate over whether criticism of Trump voters can alienate moderate and independent voices.
