The Stephen A. Smith Show

Pennsylvania Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean is interviewed about the House vote to end the government shutdown, her constituents’ concerns, the state of the Democratic Party, and GOP corruption. Stephanie Ruhle, host of MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour,” discusses the network’s rebrand to MS NOW, Washington D.C. infighting, Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral victory, and the state of the economy.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephen A. covers the election victories of NYC Democratic Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, and NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill. He also interviews Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who discuss the government shutdown, the immigration fight, ending the filibuster, and GA. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's comments on ABC’s “The View.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephen A. broadcasts from HBCU Delaware State University, interviewing NYC Mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. He also speaks with Delaware Governor Matt Meyer about the government shutdown, the potential end of SNAP benefits for Americans, and the state of the Democratic Party. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephen A. discusses the ongoing government shutdown and Representative Jasmine Crockett's potential run for the Texas Senate. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is interviewed about ICE raids, crime in his state, and the future of the Democratic Party. Arizona Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva also joins the show to talk about Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s refusal to swear her in to Congress and her legislative priorities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephen A. responds to public backlash over his comments about Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. He interviews Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy and Minnesota Senate hopeful Royce White. CBS News Chief Washington Analyst Robert Costa joins the show to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, the Epstein Files, the New York City Mayoral race, and the future of both political parties. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stephen A. interviews House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries about the ongoing government shutdown and the Democratic efforts to defend the Affordable Care Act. He also discusses House Speaker Mike Johnson’s remarks regarding Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl Halftime Show performer, along with Trump’s recently announced Gaza peace deal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Straight Shooter, Stephen A. sounds off on his frustrations with both sides of the political aisle and what he thinks it will take to get things done in Washington. Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is interviewed about his memoir, Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense, and Stephen A. takes listener calls. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bill O'Reilly, a longtime conservative commentator and author, dives into his book 'Confronting Evil,' asserting that intentional harm without remorse is on the rise globally, while critiquing figures like Putin and the Mexican cartels. Bill Maher, the witty host of HBO's 'Real Time,' discusses Jimmy Kimmel's recent controversies and the implications for late-night comedy amidst political tensions. Together, they explore complex issues like the Democratic Party's challenges, the dangers of polarization, and the need for strategic unity in politics.

In this riveting discussion, Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, emphasizes the urgent need for unity in politics and condemns rising violence, calling for leaders to set a more constructive tone. Lindsey Graham shares insights on national security and proposes changes to social media regulations to hold platforms accountable. Meanwhile, Utah's Governor Spencer Cox reflects on the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk, examining its impact on his state and advocating for civic responsibility. Together, they tackle the pressing issues of our time with urgency and depth.

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown. A detailed legal analysis of the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, with legal expert Ryan Smith joining Stephen A. Smith to break it all down. Here's a structured summary of the key points: ⚖️ Case Overview Charges: Diddy faces multiple federal charges including: Sex trafficking Racketeering (RICO) Kidnapping Arson Forced labor Bribery Prosecution’s Framing: Combs is alleged to be the leader of a criminal enterprise that used violence, coercion, and manipulation to serve his personal desires. Potential Sentence: If convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison. 🧑 ⚖️ Legal Strategy & Developments 🔹 Prosecution Dropped Charges: Attempted arson and kidnapping were dropped to “streamline” jury instructions and avoid confusion. Focus: Now emphasizing bribery, drug use, and the arson of Kid Cudi’s car as part of the RICO case. RICO Challenge: Must prove that Combs and others committed at least two crimes over a 10-year period in furtherance of a criminal enterprise. 🔹 Defense No Witnesses Called: The defense rested without presenting any witnesses, signaling confidence or a strategy to avoid giving the prosecution more ammunition. Main Argument: Consent. They argue that all acts were consensual, including the “freak offs” involving Cassie and Jane. Evidence Used: Loving text messages between Cassie and Diddy to support the claim of consensual relationships. 🔍 Key Legal Questions Can one act of coercion constitute sex trafficking? Yes, according to the prosecution. Even if most acts were consensual, one coerced act is enough for a conviction. Does the wide age range of the jury (30–74) help the defense? Possibly. All it takes is one juror to have reasonable doubt, and a diverse jury may interpret evidence differently. Is the RICO case strong? Ryan Smith says it’s not a slam dunk. The prosecution must clearly tie Combs to a broader criminal enterprise involving others, which may be difficult without testimony from key alleged co-conspirators. 🧠 Jury Deliberation & Verdict Outlook Timeline: Could take several days, especially if the judge delays deliberations until Monday to avoid a rushed Friday verdict. Verdict Scenarios: A conviction on lesser charges (e.g., transportation for prostitution) but not on RICO or sex trafficking would be a major loss for the prosecution. A full acquittal on major charges would be a significant blow to efforts to hold powerful figures accountable. 🎯 Final Takeaway Ryan Smith emphasizes that while Diddy may be seen as morally questionable, the legal question is whether his actions meet the threshold for criminal conviction under RICO and sex trafficking laws. The case hinges on how well the prosecution connects the dots and whether the jury sees beyond reasonable doubt. Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.