Trump Attacks Stephen A. Smith’s Intelligence After NBA Finals Boos
President Donald Trump faced a hostile reception at Madison Square Garden on Monday, where he was audibly booed by fans after his arrival caused significant disruptions to the Midtown Manhattan area during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. In an apparent attempt to deflect from the public rejection, the former president resorted to a recurring tactic: questioning the intelligence of a prominent Black public figure.
The tension began when sports commentator Stephen A. Smith remarked ahead of the game that he would hold Trump responsible for the atmosphere if the New York Knicks suffered a loss. Trump, clearly irked by the critique, responded by labeling Smith a “nice guy” before pivoting to a disparaging assessment of his mental acuity. “You need a certain aptitude to run for president — you need a high IQ — I’m not sure he has that. I don’t think he does, actually,” Trump stated.
Despite video evidence of the crowd’s reaction, Trump later claimed that the boos were “mostly cheers.” Smith, who has previously flirted with the idea of a presidential run, had criticized the logistical nightmare caused by the president’s security detail, which forced fans to endure long wait times and displaced local watch parties.
“This is about an individual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin’ nerves,” Smith said on Monday. “He’s got no business here tonight. It has nothing to do with politics. It was everything to do with the fervor that exists around the New York Knicks and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with.”
Smith did not take the insult lying down. Responding on Tuesday, he challenged the president directly: “If he wants to talk about IQ, I could say I could put my IQ against yours.” He further questioned Trump’s supposed love for New York, pointing to the economic damage inflicted on local businesses near the arena due to the security perimeter.
This incident is part of a broader pattern for Trump, who has frequently used the “low IQ” label to attack political opponents and media figures of color. From Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to various Democratic lawmakers, the president’s rhetoric has consistently targeted the intelligence of those who oppose him, a trend that critics argue is deeply rooted in racial bias.
