Smokey Robinson says he's not 'comfortable' with either Donald Trump or Joe Biden after 'ridiculous' debate

Smokey Robinson said he will not be singing 'You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me' about either of the candidates
PUBLISHED JUL 3, 2024
Smokey Robinson has weighed in on the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden (Getty Images)
Smokey Robinson has weighed in on the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Smokey Robinson has shared his candid thoughts on the recent presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump and expressed his disappointment with their face-off.

The legendary singer said he will not be singing 'You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me' about either of the candidates, according to The Hill.

Smokey Robinson calls first presidential debate 'ridiculous'

In an interview on NewsNation’s Blake Burman, Robinson said, “I’m not comfortable with either one of them, after what we saw last week."

The R&B singer was asked about his reaction to Biden's widely criticized debate performance against Trump on June 27 in Atlanta.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Smokey Robinson visits the SiriusXM Studios on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Smokey Robinson criticizes the debate performance by Donald Trump and Joe Biden (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

During the first live debate, the president appeared to halt and meander which sparked concerns among Democrats over his capability as a presidential candidate in the 2024 race.

Despite these calls, the White House and Biden’s campaign team have dismissed the idea, signaling that Biden is committed to his re-election bid.

“It was a ridiculous debate, as far as I’m concerned. I just think that nobody showed up," responded Robinson.

Smokey Robinson says 'age is just a number'

The debate performance of both Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, led to widespread criticism from voters, questioning their age and mental fitness to serve another term of presidency.

However, Robinson, 84, dismisses concerns about age affecting one's ability to lead.

When asked "how old is too old" for leadership positions, the 'Beside You' crooner said, "Age is just a number.

Donald Trump blasts Joe Biden (Getty Images)
Donald Trump and Joe Biden's poor debate performance sparked concerns about their age and mental fitness (Getty Images)

“I can honestly tell you, I feel 50. I think that age is a frame of mind,” said Robinson who has been performing since the age of eight.

Smokey Robinson says this is the 'most up-in-the-air' election

In a 2021 interview with ITK, Robinson predicted that Trump would run for the presidential race in 2024 but would not win.

During his NewsNation appearance, the singer expressed less certainty in his previous forecast about the upcoming November election results.

When Burman asked Robinson if he still believes Trump would lose the election, he responded with a laugh, “I hope I do, but I’m not sure.”

“This is the most up-in-the-air election I think that we’ve ever had in my lifetime,” he added.

Robinson who is set to perform on Thursday, July 4, at the annual Capitol Fourth concert in Washington, DC, shared a straight-forward message for the country on Independence Day as he said, “Vote.”

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