President Donald Trump didn’t let Stephen A. Smith’s pregame comments go unanswered after the ESPN personality jokingly suggested he would hold the president responsible if the New York Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
According to the New York Post, Trump responded shortly after leaving New York early Tuesday morning following his appearance at Madison Square Garden, where he attended the game alongside his granddaughter, Kai Trump.
Before boarding his flight back to Washington, Trump was asked about Smith’s remarks, which had generated attention during ESPN’s coverage leading up to the matchup.
While Trump began by describing Smith as a “nice guy,” he quickly questioned the analyst’s suitability for higher office after Smith’s name had recently surfaced in discussions about potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election.
“You need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said.
“You need a high IQ. I’m not sure Stephen has that. I don’t think he does.”
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The exchange stemmed from comments Smith made during a broadcast of “First Take” before Monday night’s game.
The longtime sports commentator voiced frustration over Trump’s attendance at the contest and jokingly warned that he would blame the president if New York failed to win.
“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him,” Smith said, drawing laughter from others in the studio.
“I’m blaming the president of the United States! I’m gonna stay on that.”
Smith continued his remarks by saying he would be especially upset if the Knicks lost after Trump’s appearance at Madison Square Garden.
“I’ve been fair-minded, down the middle as an Independent for a long time. Hell hath no fury like Stephen A. scorned if the New York Knicks lose tonight.
“I’m gonna be in their a** like back pockets, like white on rice. I’m telling you that right now.
“We better not lose tonight’s game! We were riding, we were flowing, and this man gonna show up to the Garden tonight. You gotta be kidding me!”
Smith also criticized Trump’s decision to attend the game, calling it “selfish and narcissistic.”
“This president has no business showing up in New York City,” he said.
He later insisted his reaction was not politically motivated and claimed he would feel the same way about any sitting president attending such a high-profile game.
“I would say the same thing about Obama, George W., Clinton, I don’t give a damn if we went back to Reagan,” Smith said.
“This is not a football stadium in some space of Texas where you got a whole bunch of outlays. This is the Garden. This is midtown Manhattan.”
Trump’s visit marked the first time a sitting president attended an NBA Finals game.
The Knicks ultimately fell 115-111 in Game 3, though they still hold a 2-1 lead in the series heading into Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.