‘I apologize’: Stephen A Smith regrets giving Trump ‘ammunition’ to attack Jasmine Crockett

WASHINGTON , DC: SiriusXM host Stephen A Smith issued a public apology on Wednesday, October 22, on his show 'Straight Shooter' to Democratic Texas Rep Jasmine Crockett, following backlash over his earlier criticism of her outspoken rhetoric.

Smith’s recent remarks condemned Crockett’s repeated “disrespectful” comments about President Donald Trump, sparking debate over the impact of her words on her constituents.

Stephen A Smith issues an apology to Jasmine Crockett

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Stephen A Smith apologized for his earlier commentary on Jasmine Crockett, acknowledging that his remarks may have inadvertently helped Trump attack her.

Smith explained, "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. I got it. I don’t like that at all. I don’t want to be associated with nothing like that."

He continued, "And I apologize because I respect the hell out of Jasmine Crockett and what she has accomplished."

Smith emphasized, "I absolutely do. And I appreciate the fact that she feels compelled to fight the way that she’s fought, the way that she fights because of what she’s dealing with." 

Stephen A Smith says he’s not looking for 'enemies'

Reiterating his apology, Smith said, "I don’t want enemies. I truly don’t. But I’m not here to make friends. 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."

He added, "But I’m going to be me. I’m going to call it like I see it. I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say, ‘I’m sorry for any, any, any, 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. I got it."

Although Smith did not specify which of Trump’s comments he was referring to, Trump repeated his insult, calling Crockett “a very low IQ person” on Fox News’ 'Sunday Morning Futures.'

Reflecting on that, Smith said, "And when Trump came at her like that, I said, ‘Damn it.’ I was pissed off because I said that’s what they’re talking about when they’re saying, you know what, when you question something about her, it’s going to invite that, I understand."   

Stephen A Smith calls out Jasmine Crockett for focusing on Trump, not Texans

Earlier this month on his show 'Straight Shooter with Stephen A,' Smith criticized Crockett, arguing that she spends too much time opposing Trump instead of focusing on serving her constituents.

Smith began, “You have a Democratic Party that knew they were getting our vote, would engage in demagoguery, scare the living hell out of us about what existed on the right, and, as a result, they'd get our vote.” He added, “And all they had to do to get it was to give us lip service about negative stuff about the other side.”

Smith then questioned Crockett’s approach, asking, “But how Jasmine Crockett chooses to express herself, I'm like, ‘Is that gonna help your district in Texas?’ Aren't you there to find a way to get stuff done, as opposed to just being an impediment to what Trump wants? How much work goes into that?”

He continued, “I'm just going to go off about Trump, cuss him out every chance I get, say the most derogatory, incendiary things imaginable, and that's my day's work. That ain't work!”

In a later segment, Smith slammed Crockett for being disrespectful toward Trump, saying, “When you go on national television and you call the president of the United States out of his name and you're being all disrespectful, as a representative in this country, do you believe the citizens of Texas sent you there to do that?”

He emphasized, “They expect you to go to Capitol Hill and figure out a way to maneuver yourself through that terrain to work in a fashion that's going to facilitate getting things done on behalf of your constituents! That's your job.” Smith added, “Excuse my language on SiriusXM, but it ain't your job to say 'He ain't sht. He ain't worth a dmn.' That's not your job! Anybody could do that! You're supposed to be figuring out a way to get things done!”