THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?
SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do).
- Stephen A. Smith said his October 15 White House visit with Donald Trump, Bill Maher and Kid Rock lasted four hours and 20 minutes.
- Smith credited Trump for engaging with questions, while describing disagreements over affordability and the effect of anti-DEI policies on HBCU donations.
- Kid Rock described the gathering positively; Smith rejected his characterization of the table as two Democrats and two Republicans.
LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time).
Stephen A. Smith says a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, Bill Maher and Kid Rock turned into a four-hour-and-20-minute visit that included policy arguments, a tour and more time with the president than he expected.
Speaking to CNN’s Laura Coates on Friday, October 16, Smith said he was surprised by the duration and credited Trump for responding to questions. His account also included substantive disagreements, particularly over the economy and funding for historically Black colleges and universities.
“He answered every single question,” Smith said separately on Straight Shooter With Stephen A.
Smith told Coates that advocating for HBCUs was a central reason he attended. He argued that the administration’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was making private corporations fearful of donating to the institutions.
According to Smith, Trump said he had not considered that concern and would examine it. Smith distinguished that response from a commitment to a specific remedy.
“He didn’t make any promises, in fairness to him,” Smith told CNN.
On affordability, Smith described challenging Trump to provide evidence for his optimistic economic forecasts. The president remained confident, Smith said, but the conversation did not resolve their differences.
Kid Rock offered his own account on Fox & Friends, saying the guests discussed subjects including the Iran war, Afghan interpreters who assisted Americans, unemployment among Black women and HBCU funding.
He also said the four agreed that “socialism and communism has no place to have a foothold in our government.” The claim reflects Kid Rock’s account of the private discussion.
One detail of his account drew a correction from Smith: the political labels.
“I don’t consider myself a liberal. I consider myself a conservative,” Smith said, adding that he is a registered independent.
Trump also spoke favorably about the gathering when reporters asked him Friday.
“It was a great dinner. It was a very informative dinner,” he said.
DBS WIRE SOURCES (I’ve got all day).
- CNN transcript: Stephen A. Smith discusses the White House visit with Laura Coates
- TV Insider: Smith recounts the dinner and clarifies his political identification
- Awful Announcing: Smith explains his reasons for attending
- Daily Caller: Kid Rock describes the dinner and topics discussed
- New York Post: Trump comments on dinner with Maher and Smith
