On a recent episode of the “Flagrant and Funny” podcast, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was pressed by hosts Cari Champion and Jemele Hill about his public admission that he regrets voting for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. The discussion centered on Harris’s appearance on ABC’s “The View” on Oct. 8, 2024, where she said she could not think of anything she would do differently from President Joe Biden.
Smith’s criticism of Harris’s loyalty
Smith argued that Harris’s answer was a calculated move, stating, “There’s only one reason she said that, because her loyalty to Joe Biden usurped everything else.” He added that the comment was meant to highlight a perceived lack of independent leadership, asking, “You trying to win a damn presidency? This is embarrassing. Do you want the presidency or don’t you?”
Context of the interview
Champion suggested that Smith’s remarks targeted Black women, while Hill noted that Harris was attempting to align herself with President Biden’s accomplishments, saying, “He accomplished a lot.” Smith responded that his regret stemmed from post‑election reflection, not from any pre‑election statements. He emphasized, “I supported her leading up to the election. I voted for her. I was on the airwaves talking about what it’s going to take to win, win, win. And when it was over, I was honest about how I felt in the moment that transpired.”
Earlier comments and broader reflections
Smith’s admission aligns with earlier remarks he made in an April interview with Sage Steele, where he confirmed his vote for Harris and later expressed disappointment, saying, “There’s no hope” after observing the Democratic Party’s direction following the election loss. In a January 2025 interview with Bill Maher, Smith reiterated his vote for Harris, describing many voters as feeling like “d— fools” for supporting the Democratic ticket.
Reactions from media observers
Curtis Houck, managing editor of the Media Research Center’s NewsBusters.org, praised Smith’s candor, stating, “This level of refreshing honesty from Stephen A. Smith has sadly been in short supply for far too long. Along with ideological diversity, more commentators and journalists should be willing to admit when they’re wrong or express regret.” Houck added that Smith’s willingness to step outside his usual ideological bubble is a reason for his continued success.
Harris’s office response
Harris’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Smith’s statements.
The conversation underscores ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party regarding candidate loyalty, messaging strategy, and the challenges of appealing to a broad electorate after a disappointing election outcome.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
