Sports commentator and political analyst Stephen A. Smith issued a public apology to Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on Wednesday, walking back his earlier critique that the congresswoman used “street verbiage.”
Last week, during an episode of his SiriusXM show Straight Shooter, Smith offered a harsh assessment of Crockett’s rhetoric when discussing political opponents. Smith claimed that Crockett’s language was “for the streets” and questioned whether it served her constituents effectively. He cited examples of her communication style that he deemed inappropriate for a political figure.
On Wednesday, Smith taped an impromptu segment of his show to address the controversy and offer a mea culpa to the Texas representative. While he did not entirely retract his previous commentary on her speaking style, Smith acknowledged the broader implications of his words, specifically how they could be weaponized by figures like President Donald Trump.
READ: “Squad” Member Jasmine Crockett Rockets Into Texas Senate Race Consideration, Citing Poll Lead
“I get it now, with Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him fodder or ammunition, to continue to go out there and talk about our Black women that way,” Smith stated. “I got it. I don’t like that at all. I don’t want to be associated with nothing like that, and I apologize because I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she has accomplished.”
Smith emphasized his respect for Crockett’s achievements and the challenges she faces in the current political climate, noting her “incredible, incredible challenge working in this political climate on Capitol Hill.”
The longtime journalist maintained his commitment to unbiased commentary, saying, “I’m here to call it like I see it. It should be done respectfully. It should be done with the sensitivity that it needs to be done with. I get it. I understand. But I’m going to be me.”
He concluded his apology directly to the congresswoman: “I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say, ‘I’m sorry for any kind of noise I caused in your direction,’ because she is accomplished, and she is smart, and she does have an incredible, incredible challenge working in this political climate on Capitol Hill.”
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