Stephen A. Smith has spent decades building his career on the art of debate. When given a microphone, an opponent, and a reason to argue, few on American television seem more at ease than he is.
But when the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) publicly criticized Smith for what it called a pattern of negative comments about Black women, the place where he chose to respond became nearly as controversial as the award.
Smith took his case to Fox News.
On the show, sitting across from conservative host Sean Hannity, the ESPN star strongly rejected NABJ’s decision to give him its “Thumbs Down Award.” He called the accusation “a flat-out lie” and defended his treatment of Black women by mentioning the Black women in his own life.
“I was raised by five Black women,” Smith said. “My mother, God rest her soul, and my four older sisters. Have two daughters. I have 10 nieces. I don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.”
Smith’s appearance Monday night on “Hannity” was another step in a tense public dispute between one of America’s most well-known Black media figures and the country’s largest group of Black journalists. Fox News confirmed Smith went on the show to respond to NABJ’s award, and Smith has called the organization’s action a “hit job.”
However, Smith’s decision to make his case on Hannity’s show led to more criticism. Some argued that choosing this platform only supported the concerns NABJ had raised.
“So, he gets called out by the NABJ, and the first place he goes is Fox News, Lord have mercy,” one X user wrote.
Another was considerably more profane: “So, @stephenasmith you ran your b***ch–a** to the white power hour TV show to complain just like we thought you would.”
Similar criticism appeared online on Tuesday. Some people wondered why Smith, who already has large platforms, chose Hannity’s show to address a dispute with Black journalists.
The controversy started in Atlanta, when NABJ gave out its annual Thumbs Down Awards at its convention. Smith received the award along with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, CBS News, The Washington Post, and Circle City Broadcasting President and CEO DuJuan McCoy.
NABJ’s criticism of Smith was especially direct.
“Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media,” the organization said in its citation.
NABJ said such commentary “reinforces harmful narratives” and undermines fair representation of Black women, putting Smith’s conduct at odds with the organization’s commitment to responsible portrayals of Black communities.
The organization was referring to a series of increasingly heated public disagreements.
Smith has criticized U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas (D), including questioning her political rhetoric and use of “street verbiage.” He publicly sparred with former MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid. He objected to Michelle Obama’s argument during the 2024 campaign about the consequences for women of returning Donald Trump to the White House. He has also repeatedly criticized former Vice President Kamala Harris, including after her unsuccessful presidential campaign.
Smith says these examples are disagreements, not insults.
“Whether it was Jasmine Crockett, whether it was Kamala Harris, whether it was Michelle Obama, I pointed to something that they said that I may have disagreed with,” Smith told Hannity. “That is all.”
He asked NABJ to explain how criticizing what someone says is the same as insulting the person.
“How does the word disparaging come into play?” Smith asked. “Or to talk about me degrading and denigrating Black women. No, I’ve had a difference of opinion about something that they may have said, and that is all.”
Smith pointed to his impending Sept. 29 induction into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame and questioned why his professional accomplishments apparently carried so little weight with NABJ.
“What have I accomplished in my career?” Smith asked. “Where am I sitting at right now?”
NABJ’s response was that being successful does not protect anyone from criticism.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, NABJ President Errin Haines said the decision to name Smith was about public accountability, including when that accountability involves people the organization has previously embraced.
“We are here to defend the truth,” Haines said. “And that means telling it even when the truth makes our friends uncomfortable, especially them.”
For NABJ, Haines said, the hope of calling out Smith and the other individuals and entities is to work toward positive progress.
“The door is open,” she continued. “The conversation is available, and the opportunity to change is real. But NABJ will not be silent. Not in this moment and not on my watch.”
Smith’s first response was far from conciliatory.
“This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early,” he wrote on X after receiving the award, warning NABJ that it had taken its turn and his was coming. “I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something.”
The dispute became even more heated on Monday when Smith called the award a political and personal “hit job.” NABJ disagreed with Smith’s version of his talks with Haines, saying she had been open to a private conversation focused on listening and accountability, and had not ruled out a future public discussion.
Then D.L. Hughley joined the debate.
The comedian and social commentator said the issue was bigger than whether Smith could criticize Black women. Hughley focused on who Smith chooses to challenge, how strongly he does it, and just as importantly, who he does not challenge.
Hughley pointed to President Donald Trump’s past insult of Smith’s intelligence. He then contrasted Smith’s response to Trump with the fury he unleashed after NABJ criticized his professional conduct.
“What was telling me was the fact that he got so angry,” Hughley said of Smith’s reaction to NABJ. “These are his contemporaries. These are the people he works with. What he didn’t do is, when Donald Trump said that he was dumb as a box of rocks, nothing.”
Hughley argued that the contrast might explain NABJ’s decision.
“Maybe you got a thumbs down because you are so willing to attack your own and say nothing to the powers that be,” he said. “You’re so willing to attack Black athletes but say nothing to a man who insults your intellect.”
Over the years, Smith has had very public arguments with Black athletes like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Terrell Owens, and LeBron James. His televised criticism of former NBA player Kwame Brown became one of his most replayed moments.
Smith says confrontation is part of his job. His career is based on sharing strong opinions, no matter who the subject is—Black, white, famous, powerful, or unknown.
One Black social media commentator, Black Girls Who Brunch, argued that Smith’s decision to take his complaint to Fox News effectively made NABJ’s case.
“The fact that you carried your tail over to Fox News and to Chris Cuomo’s show, you just proved the point that you are not thinking about community,” she said. “You’re thinking about self, thinking about attacking and punching down at community.”
Haines made it clear that NABJ does not plan to back down just because Smith has a larger platform.
“There can be no revolution without accountability,” she said. “There can be no accountability without courage. And there can be no Black journalism that is worthy of its history if we are afraid to speak truth to power.”
