ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said Friday he accepted an invitation to a White House dinner with President Donald Trump because he wanted to confront the president face to face on issues affecting Black Americans, particularly historically Black colleges and universities, even after Trump publicly labeled him an “arrogant fool,” a “low IQ individual,” “dumb as a rock” and a “loudmouth huckster” earlier this year.
The dinner took place Thursday evening and lasted more than four hours, Smith said on his “Straight Shooter” podcast. It also included comedian Bill Maher and musician Kid Rock. Kid Rock described the gathering as “epic” during a Friday appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” Trump told reporters Friday the group “had a good time,” talked about “everything” for a long time, and that “Stephen A. is great.”
According to Smith, Trump invited Maher to bring anyone he wanted — “even one of his lunatic leftist friends.” Maher invited Smith. Trump reportedly questioned whether Smith would attend, but Smith said he “immediately accepted.”
Smith outlined several reasons for going. Foremost was the chance to speak directly to Trump “face to face, man to man” about criticisms he has made publicly. He also cited a pre-political relationship dating to Trump’s unsuccessful 2014 bid to buy the Buffalo Bills, which Smith has said helped spur Trump’s presidential ambitions. Smith has credited Trump for actions including criminal justice reform and making permanent roughly $255 million in annual federal funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.
HBCU funding was a central priority for Smith, who has described himself as an ambassador for HBCU Week. He said he pressed Trump on Black unemployment (especially at the federal level), diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and continued corporate support for HBCUs after what Smith and others have characterized as Trump’s opposition to DEI. Kid Rock said Smith told the president that corporations had been discouraged from donating to HBCUs after Trump “put a dagger through the heart of DEI,” and that the group agreed corporations should continue supporting the schools because education strengthens Black families.
Other topics discussed included opposition to socialism and communism (an area of agreement among the four men, according to Kid Rock), the war in Iran, Afghan interpreters who assisted U.S. forces, affordability and the midterms. Smith said Trump “did not run from any questions,” answered everything, and was “very, very defiant” with criticism or disagreement, while describing the overall atmosphere as pleasant and respectful. The group also toured the White House ballroom project under construction.
The June insults stemmed from Smith’s criticism of Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Smith called the appearance selfish and narcissistic, cited security disruptions in Midtown Manhattan, suggested Trump appeared to fall asleep during the game, and said he would blame the president if the Knicks lost (they did).
After the game, Trump told reporters he considered Smith “a nice guy” but that running for president requires “a certain aptitude” and “a high IQ,” adding, “I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does actually.” In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Stephen A. Smith is an arrogant fool, a low IQ individual. In other words, he’s ‘dumb as a rock,’ and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or even low political office, for that matter! He’d get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians. Joe Biden’s now ‘fabled’ performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn’t much! Within a few weeks, they’d laugh him out of politics!!!”
🔥 Stephen A. Smith had nothing but praise for President Trump’s hospitality after spending over FOUR HOURS with him alongside Bill Maher.
“He deserves to be recognized for his hospitality and his unwillingness to run from any single issue we brought up that he disagreed with.”… pic.twitter.com/krdy1Dndyw
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) October 16, 2026
Smith responded at the time by challenging Trump to a debate and saying he would put his IQ “up against yours any day of the week.” Trump had previously spoken positively about Smith, saying in earlier years he would “love to see” the commentator run for office and calling him a “smart guy” with strong entertainment skills.
Smith has said attending the dinner does not signal political support for Trump. He framed it as an opportunity to have a seat at the table and advocate for issues he cares about, particularly for those less fortunate. This was the second recent White House dinner involving Trump, Maher and Kid Rock; UFC President Dana White joined a previous one.
Smith called the meeting “pleasant” and “respectful,” adding that with the cameras off, Trump “could not have been nicer,” “could not have been more hospitable,” and “could not have been more complimentary, even toward somebody whose aptitude he just questioned weeks ago.” He noted that Trump invited him and Maher back.
The dinner occurred as Trump campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterms and as Smith continues expanding into political commentary beyond sports.
