ESPN personality and “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he is not offended by President Donald Trump’s recent characterization of him as a “low IQ individual” who is “dumb as a rock.”
Smith’s appearance on the conservative program added a new chapter to a public feud that began during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where Trump attended as the New York Knicks — a team Smith has long supported — lost to the San Antonio Spurs. Smith had criticized the president’s presence for creating security disruptions and had predicted a negative effect on the home team. After the game, when questioned about Smith’s rumored interest in running for president, Trump questioned Smith’s aptitude and intelligence. Trump later posted on social media that Smith is “an arrogant fool, a low IQ individual” and “dumb as a rock,” adding that he is “totally unqualified” for political office.
On “First Take,” Smith responded combatively, challenging Trump to a debate and offering to pit his intelligence against the president’s. “You wanna talk about IQ, I could put my IQ against yours any day of the week,” Smith said, while also asking why Trump had avoided previous opportunities to engage directly.
— Court🔥🎯 (@C3datdudeClark) June 12, 2026
During the Hannity appearance, however, Smith struck a different note on personal offense. “I’m not offended by it because it’s his default position,” Smith stated. “And I’m not offended by it because unlike him, I can take it.” He noted that Trump has applied the “low IQ” label to numerous political figures and media personalities over the years, including Vice President Kamala Harris, and framed his own reaction as one of resilience rather than outrage. Clips from the segment circulated widely, with one description highlighting that “most people aren’t actually offended by Trump.”
Viral X Post and Public Reaction
During the Hannity appearance, however, Smith struck a different note on personal offense. “I’m not offended by it because it’s his default position,” Smith stated. A video clip of Smith’s Hannity comments, posted on X by user @C3datdudeClark, quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views and drew a wave of replies. Many reactions were sharply critical, accusing Smith of being overly accommodating or inconsistent with his usual combative style.
Among the replies to the post:
- “Of course coon warrior 1 takes no offense to being called dumb and low IQ by his white daddy… Is this really surprising to anyone?”
- “Knew SAS was gonna act like this lol”
- Multiple users posted strings of raccoon emojis (🦝), a symbol frequently deployed online as a derogatory reference implying someone is a sellout or overly deferential to white interests.
- “Of course he ok wit being calked low IQ”
- “Stephen a Smith is such a little b*tch”
- “He’s such a p*ssy”
The intensity and language of the backlash reflect long-standing tensions around Smith’s willingness to appear on conservative platforms and engage across political lines. Smith has previously been criticized by some for cultivating relationships with figures like Hannity, with detractors arguing it undercuts his independence on issues involving race and politics.
Not every reaction was negative. Some observers praised Smith for refusing to be baited into performative outrage, noting that Trump’s rhetorical style often includes personal insults and that rising above them demonstrates maturity or strategic restraint. Others pointed out that many public figures targeted by similar language have chosen not to center personal grievance.
The episode highlights several overlapping dynamics. First, it shows how sports media figures who build brands on outspokenness can face audience fragmentation when they appear to soften their stance toward political adversaries. Smith has positioned himself as a truth-teller willing to critique power regardless of party, yet the Hannity appearance and “not offended” framing have been interpreted by critics as selective restraint.
Second, the racial dimension is impossible to ignore for many observers. Trump has a documented history of using “low IQ” and similar attacks disproportionately against people of color in prominent positions. For some, Smith’s decision to emphasize resilience (“I can take it”) rather than directly confronting that pattern reads as capitulation. For others, it represents a deliberate choice to deny Trump the emotional reaction he may seek and to keep the focus on policy or substance instead of personal slight.
Third, the crossover between sports commentary and partisan politics continues to accelerate. What began as criticism of a president attending an NBA game evolved into questions about intelligence, political viability, and media alliances. This mirrors broader trends in which athletes, coaches, and commentators are increasingly expected to navigate political minefields in real time.
Edge Cases and Forward Look
For Smith personally, the moment carries reputational stakes on multiple fronts. A portion of his core audience may feel disappointed if they expect consistent pushback against perceived slights, particularly those viewed as racially tinged. At the same time, demonstrating thick skin could appeal to viewers tired of constant outrage cycles and might strengthen his positioning if he ever pursues the political ambitions Trump mocked. His continued presence on “First Take” and any follow-up commentary in coming days will be scrutinized for signs of how he intends to thread this needle.
For sports media more broadly, the incident underscores the difficulty of maintaining credibility across a polarized audience when personalities engage directly with political figures. Outlets and hosts must weigh the value of access and cross-aisle dialogue against the risk of alienating segments of their base.
On X, the conversation shows no immediate sign of cooling. The original clip continues to generate quotes, memes, defenses, and further criticism, illustrating how quickly a single media appearance can dominate discourse in the intersection of sports, race, and politics.
Smith’s next on-air appearances will likely address the fallout, either directly or through the lens of ongoing NBA Finals coverage. Whether he doubles down on the “I can take it” posture, returns to a more aggressive rebuttal, or pivots to other topics remains to be seen. What is clear is that the blurred boundary between the court and the political arena shows little sign of sharpening.
