Trump fires back at Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN analyst revealed that he would blame the president for the Knicks’ loss.
President Trump fired back at Stephen A. Smith before he left New York shortly after midnight Tuesday after the ESPN analyst made a sly remark that he would blame the president if the Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Smith, the 2028 Democratic nominee, said Trump had “no business” attending Monday night’s game at The World’s Most Famous Arena, saying, “If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I blame him.”
Trump was asked about Smith’s “First Take” soundbite on the ground at JFK Airport before returning to Washington – and the host described the researcher as a “good guy” before spilling his wisdom.
“You need certain skills to run for president,” he said.
“You need a high IQ. I’m not sure Stephen has that. I don’t think he does.”
Trump watched the Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs with his grandson Kai — and became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
He saluted the NYPD officers who carried the American flag during the national anthem.
But Smith has made clear his objections to Trump’s presence on the airwaves.
“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I blame him,” he fumed, prompting laughter from the studio.
“I blame the president of the United States!
“I’ve been sober, in the middle as an independent person for a long time.
“I’ll be in their pockets a–like back pockets, like white rice.” I’m telling you that right now.
“We better not lose tonight’s game!
Smith called Trump’s decision to attend the game “selfish and narcissistic.”
“This president has no business being in New York City,” he said.
Smith then tried to clarify that he would be equally opposed to the incumbent Democratic president in the race.
“I can say the same about Obama, George W., Clinton, I don’t see if we go back to Reagan,” he said.
“This isn’t a ballpark somewhere in Texas where you’ve got a bunch of games being played. This is the Garden. This is midtown Manhattan.”
The Knicks lost 115-111, which means the team leads 2-1.
Game 4 of the series takes place at the Garden on Wednesday night.
