© Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
President Trump is officially beefing with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Ahead of game 3 of the NBA Finals, Smith called Trump “selfish” for wanting to attend the Spurs-Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
“This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
Stephen A. Smith calls out Donald Trump
“This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”😳
(h/t @NBA__Courtside ) pic.twitter.com/KAtjkbqb0A
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 8, 2026
Smith went on to say that he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
“If it causes the Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him.”
🚨CRAZY🚨
Stephen A. Smith says he will blame President Trump if the Knicks lose tonight.
“If it causes the Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the US. Damnit, I hope the GOP loses votes because of it if we lose tonight” pic.twitter.com/u52eCqGEtx
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) June 8, 2026
After the Knicks loss to the Spurs, Trump was asked about Smith’s comments and immediately fired back.
“I think he’s a nice guy but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ, I don’t really think Stephen A Smith has that.”
Reporter: Stephen A. Smith said he would blame you if the Knicks lost
Trump: He is a nice guy but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I don’t think Stephen has it. pic.twitter.com/7DV1fZdcfL
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2026