After Months of Controversy, Stephen A. Smith Finally Faces Rep. Jasmine Crockett with a Sincere Apology.NH
Media personality Stephen A. Smith has offered a public apology to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. In a video posted Wednesday, Smith claimed his intent was misinterpreted and that he wanted to make his respect for the Texas lawmaker clear.
“I have no problem apologizing to my sister,” Smith said in the video. “She’s smart, she’s accomplished, and she has an incredible challenge working in this political climate.” He added that some of the harsh reactions to his initial critique made him realize how his words might have come across, especially to audiences protective of Crockett’s reputation.
“I’m going to call it like I see it,” Smith said. “But I’m not beyond apologizing if I’m wrong or if I’ve made someone feel a certain way.” Smith also argued his commentary had been “misconstrued and misinterpreted,” emphasizing that he did not want to be linked to rhetoric that demeans Black women in public life. He said his goal was to challenge, not belittle.
AsBET
reported, Smith complained about efforts to “cancel” him, calling online campaigns to stop supporting him “immature.” “I will never surrender to intimidation,” he said at the time. “Calling for me to be canceled? That’s shameful.”
In the original clip, Smith questioned Crockett’s language toward Republicans. “When you are representing 750,000 people, that’s not going to get you anywhere,” he said. He went on to urge Crockett to think about the bigger picture, asking, “Isn’t it about winning? Isn’t it about getting it done?”
Smith also suggested that the first-term Democrat’s outspoken style was “street verbiage” and, in his view, not productive. His remarks drew swift backlash online — from SiriusXM host Reecie Colbert
to former South Carolina congressmanBakari Sellers
— with many accusing him of disrespecting a Black woman who has faced hostility in Congress and even directly from the White House.
Crockett has stayed focused on representing Texas’s 30th Congressional District, which covers parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties. After the recent redrawing of district lines, she is now weighing a potential run for theU.S. Senate
. Even amid a government shutdown, Crockett continues to push forward on her core agenda of expanding affordable housing, defending voting rights, and strengthening protections for vulnerable communities.
