Stephen A. Smith confronted The View on Wednesday, defending his White House dinner with Trump. When Sunny Hostin questioned meeting a president she called “disgusting and abhorrent,” Smith fired back: “He’s the president of the United States, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to try.” He pushed HBCU funding, Black women’s unemployment, and college sports issues. Trump later followed up. Smith: “I’m not apologizing to anybody.”
Stephen A. Smith stunned The View by defending Trump and revealing how seriously the president listened to his ideas on HBCUs. 🔥👏 Agree with Stephen A. Smith? 👇 https://t.co/Fk7BgQ4hss
— Rose (@Rose17090333) October 21, 2026
“I’m not apologizing for that to anybody.” Stephen A. Smith stood firm on The View after critics slammed him for dining with Trump. He told Sunny Hostin he’d “be damned” if he didn’t try to advocate for HBCUs and Black unemployment while Trump is president until 2028. Trump even called him back on the HBCU points. Engagement over outrage.
Sunny Hostin said she’d never meet Trump because his presidency is “disgusting and abhorrent.” Stephen A. Smith showed up on The View anyway and pushed back hard. He went to the White House with clear agendas on HBCUs and jobs, got a follow-up call from Trump, and refused to apologize. “You’re going to have to deal with him.”