ESPN's Stephen A Smith Claims Democrats Are Tone Deaf

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith appeared on Fox News’ Hannity Thursday night, where he made headlines by claiming that President-elect Donald Trump is gaining traction among Democratic voters and criticized the Democratic Party for being “tone deaf.”

The segment focused on the political fallout following the 2024 presidential election, particularly in light of the release of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s book, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. Below is a detailed summary of Smith’s appearance, his claims, and the context surrounding the discussion, based on available information from X posts and related sources.

🚨 NEW: “Trump is gaining traction within the Democratic Party” — Stephen A Smith tells Sean Hannity, adding they are “tone deaf” pic.twitter.com/UqaMIcLvK2

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Key Points from Stephen A. Smith’s Appearance

Claim Trump Gaining Traction with Democrats: Smith asserted that Trump is gaining support among traditionally Democratic voter groups, specifically mentioning Black and young voters. He stated, “Trump is gaining traction within the Democratic Party. Black voters, young voters.” This claim was framed as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s approach, particularly in the wake of Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Smith suggested that Trump’s appeal is resonating with these demographics due to the Democrats’ failure to address key voter concerns effectively.

Criticism of Democrats as “Tone Deaf” Smith described the Democratic Party as “tone deaf” for its disconnect with voters, particularly on issues like the economy and border security. He argued that the party’s messaging and candidate selection have failed to resonate, pointing to their loss in the 2024 election as a “referendum” on their approach. He emphasized the need for candidates with “sizzle” who can influence hearts and minds, criticizing the Democrats for anointing candidates who lack broad appeal.

Criticism of Democratic Hypocrisy on Biden’s Decline Smith went “scorched earth” on the Democrats for labeling Trump an “existential threat” for years while allegedly covering up President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, a central theme of Tapper’s book. He argued that this hypocrisy undermined the party’s credibility, stating, “To me, when you’ve walked around as a party labeling Donald Trump an existential threat for years, for years — and then a book comes [out]…” (referring to Original Sin). This critique tied into the broader narrative of the interview, which highlighted public and media discussions around Biden’s fitness for office.