Stephen A. Smith admits Trump ‘upgrade’ from Biden after Knicks game criticism

The Knicks’ return to the Finals, in which they secured their first championship since 1973, sparked a new public feud between Smith and Trump. Smith first ripped Trump for attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals, saying the president’s attendance caused undue stress upon New York City residents and Knicks fans, adding that Trump would be blamed for a Knicks loss. The Knicks ultimately lost that game.

Trump responded to Smith’s comments by calling him “low IQ” and saying Smith does not have the “aptitude” to run for president, as Smith is often asked if he would run for the White House.

Smith had responded to Trump’s jab previously, but on Sunday, Smith said he understands the stress put on Trump because of his job and was simply “pointing out” what happened at Madison Square Garden.

“He’s got a lot on his plate,” Smith said. “He certainly gets up early enough in the morning, and he certainly has time to post tweets on his Truth Social platform. He’s always in front of the camera.”

Smith said he would not insult or question Trump’s intellect because he is in “no position to do that,” but added that if Trump is going to question Smith’s IQ, the two should engage in a public debate.

“He wants to sit up there and question my IQ and talk to me about people that would smoke me in a debate,” Smith said. “Well, why don’t you do it yourself? … Because I’ll be more than happy to sit across from the president and debate some of the decisions that he’s made.”

STEPHEN A. SMITH CALLS TRUMP ‘NARCISSISTIC’ FOR ATTENDING KNICKS GAME

Smith noted that he is not interested in running for office because he is not willing to give up his job, but said if his intelligence is going to be questioned, the two should sit down together.

“I would certainly say that if you really, really want to be serious about questioning somebody’s IQ, put me at the same table as you, and we can have a discussion in front of the masses about some decisions that you’ve made on behalf, supposedly, of the American people, and we’ll see where my IQ lands,” he said.