Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.
The Stephen A. Smith Show, focusing on two major topics involving the NAACP:
🗳️ 1. NAACP’s Decision Not to Invite President Trump
- Context: For the first time in its 116-year history, the NAACP has chosen not to invite a sitting U.S. president (Donald Trump) to its national convention.
- Reason: NAACP President Derrick Johnson cited Trump’s actions as being contrary to the organization's civil rights mission.
- Stephen A. Smith’s Take:
- He disagrees with the decision, arguing that dialogue is essential, even with those you oppose.
- He emphasizes the importance of hearing Trump out publicly, especially on issues like education funding and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
- He questions whether Trump is truly the most offensive president in the NAACP’s history and warns against ignoring political power.
🏠2. NAACP Lawsuit Against Elon Musk’s AI supercomputer in Memphis
- Issue: AI supercomputer facility in South Memphis allegedly operates gas turbines without proper permits, contributing to air pollution.
- Health Concern: Residents near the facility face a cancer risk four times the national average.
- Legal Action: The NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center plan to sue, citing violations of the Clean Air Act.
- Stephen A. Smith’s Take:
- He supports the lawsuit, stressing that economic development should not come at the cost of public health.
- He calls for accountability and transparency, especially when vulnerable communities are at risk.
🧠Tone and Style
- Analytical and passionate: Stephen A. balances critique with respect, especially toward Derrick Johnson.
- Civic-minded: He advocates for engagement over exclusion and justice over profit.
- Direct and urgent: Particularly in the environmental segment, he emphasizes the moral imperative to act.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Now let's get to the NAACP.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
In two headlines linked to the civil rights organization, the
first involves President Donald Trump, the organization announced they will
not invite the president to their national convention next month
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
This would mark the first time.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
The NAACP has opted to exclude a sitting president in
its one hundred and sixteen year history. NAACP president Derek
Johnson announced the move during a press conference, accusing Trump
of working against its mission. Here's a portion of what
Johnson had to say. Quote this has nothing to do
(00:43):
with political party. Our mission is to advance civil rights,
and the current president has made clear that his mission
is to eliminate civil rights end quote.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
The NAACP has filed.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Multiple lawsuits against Trump in the last few months, including
to stop the Department of Education from withholding federal money
for schools that did not end DEI programs, arguing the
department was prohibiting legal efforts to provide equal opportunity to
black students. First things, First, respect to Derek Johnston. Dereck Johnson,
(01:19):
I understand where you're coming from. I just don't agree, respectfully.
I don't agree that this was the right decision to make.
Number One, let's stop associating DEI with black people when
you talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion. We all know
that the biggest beneficiaries of DEI has been white women.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
And we all know.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
That folks associate DEI with individuals who weren't qualified but
were just giving an opportunity so a place could be diverse.
And that's not what I would classify us as, and
I'm certainly I'm certain that you wouldn't either, mister Johnson.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So that's number one.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Number two, here's where my reticence really really comes in.
Why not let the forty seventh President of the United
States come and address the NAACP convention. Why not give
Donald Trump a chance to sit before your audience, your constituents,
(02:19):
and explain exactly what he's doing.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And why why not let him do that?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Why not let him stand before the very people whose
lives he's purported to have had a profound effect upon
with some of his decisions, and let him explain what
is it that he's doing and why. When we talk
about the Department of Education again, we all understand that
our students need all the help that we can get,
especially in the public schools.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Federal funding is essential and we understand that. But at
some point in time don't we have an obligation to
look at exactly what the Education Department has done and
whether or not it has served to benefit our commun
unity as in the black community, along with various communities
throughout the country, throughout this country, the United States of America.
Do we just write a check and automatically give it
(03:10):
to people, taxpayer dollars to people without deciphering how well
they do their jobs?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Are we not allowed to probe.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
And a look at them and to say, what exactly
are you doing with the American dollars? With the taxpayer
dollars from the American citizens. I don't know the answer.
I'm not proclaiming to know the answer. I'm simply saying
I want to hear if the president is taking this
strong position, and he's campaigned on eradicating the Department of
Education for years, why does he feel that way? What
(03:46):
evidence does he have to validate his assertions? And if
indeed there is profound evidence to support such a position,
who are those that are supporting it? We need to
ask those questions, and I think that standing before members
(04:07):
of the NAACP at your very own convention. I think
that that would serve well to invite him and let
him come before you all and try to explain what
he's doing, so you'll have him on a record, not
just sound bites that airs on CNN or MSNBC or
Fox News or ABC, CBS, NBC or whatever. No, let
(04:30):
him sit before you and explain and defend his position.
Most importantly, you could try to ignore the President of
the United States, but you know what can't be ignored
(04:51):
his actions until twenty twenty eight. Mister Derrick Johnson. He's
not going away. He's not going away. By the way,
the NAACP did sue him, and remember sue him with
a civil suit successfully, I might add, as it pretends
to the insurrection.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
In twenty twenty one on January.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Sixth, Did that stop him from becoming president again? He's
been sued, He's been convicted thirty four felony council. Whatever
did its end up the jail. Didn't he still run
for reelection? Didn't he still skate right through the GOP.
(05:36):
Didn't he win the popular vote and the electoral College
vote and every swing state you don't get to ignore him.
As my point, he has been the most powerful, the
most influential member of the GOP since two thy and fifteen.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
How does you refusing to.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Invite him, ostracizing him, not wanting to hear what he
has to say to you all? How does that help you?
How I'm not saying to agree with him. I'm not
saying side with him. I'm not saying befriend him. I'm
not saying any of those things. But ignoring him ain't
gonna get it done. None of you truly want to
(06:21):
be about the business of helping folks, particularly the disolate
and disenfranchise in our country, the urban communities throughout America.
Not that that's all the NAACP does, because I'm certainly
not implying that. All I'm saying is that clearly is
who you're interested in helping. Ignoring him and not even
inviting him to come and speak at your convention, what's
(06:47):
that going to accomplish.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
For the first time in a one hundred.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
And sixteen year history, you're not inviting your president. Are
you trying to tell me that there's no president that
has been as offensive to the NAACP as Donald Trump?
In one hundred and sixteen years, Are you really making
that argument that, no matter what you think about Donald Trump,
(07:15):
that's the only person that's the only president of the
United States that you've been able to say that about
in a one hundred and sixteen year history of the NAACP.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
One hundred and sixteen years, doing the math that goes
back to nineteen oh nine. Since nineteen o nine, there's
no president that has ever been.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
More offensive to the NAACP than Donald Trump. Is that
your argument, Let's say, for the sake of arugument, that
it is for the moment. Other than the progressive left,
(08:07):
who's going to definitively agree with your position. You might
have folks out there that want to contribute to the
courses of the NAACP that are center left and center right.
They may not agree with Donald Trump either, but they
recognize the importance of being able to work with the
President of the United States. Just think about it. I
(08:32):
don't think this is the right move.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
If all of us had to like the people we had.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
To deal with and do business with, how would business
ever get done in this country if not this world?
It's a rhetorical question. Mister Derek Johnson, I know you
know the answer. Let me move on to a second
headline involving the NAACP, and this is pertaining the Elon
(09:02):
Musk in the city of Memphis. The NAACP, along with
the Southern Environmental Law Center, said they intend to sue
Elon Musks artificial intelligence company.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Called x AI.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
They have major concerns about air pollution generated by a
supercomputer facility located near predominantly black communities in Memphis. The
XAI data center began operating last year, powered in part
by pollution emitting gas turbines, without first applying for a permit.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Officials have said an exemption.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Allowed them to operate for up to three hundred and
sixty four days without a permit. However, Southern Environmental Law
Center says there is no such exemption for turbines and
that it's now been more than a year. They also
say the use of the turbines violates the Clean Air
Act and that residents who lived near the facility already
(09:57):
face cancer risk at four times the next average. That
last sentence is all that matters to me, no doubt.
This is in South Memphis. From what I've read that
it's a poor and impoverished neighborhood. Now Elon Musk and
his company will tell you that it's generating billions for
(10:20):
the local economy, if not at least hundreds of millions
of dollars.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
They're talking about.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Plants that are being built, one that's cost over thirty
five million dollars and something else, and that's going to
generate jobs. We certainly understand the importance of generating jobs,
generating revenue, stimulating an economy, making sure that folks within
the Memphis community, specifically the Memphis community are benefiting. As
(10:51):
mere Poor Young pointed out, they're trying to make sure
that the revenue generated, at least twenty five percent of
that revenue is allocated for folks within a five mile
radius of this plant. I respect that, I understand it.
I understand the importance of economics. I understand the importance
of a flourishing local economy.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
I understand about jobs.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I get it because you want to pay your bills
and what have you. But air pollution, risk of cancer
four times greater than it normally is. What good is
everything I mentioned? If you're dead, we can't have that.
(11:37):
We can't have that. So the NAACP, according to law
is obligated. I you're gonna follow this lawsuit, you gotta
give them sixty days notice. And that is what has happened.
So this lawsuit essentially is forthcoming and we'll know the facts.
And in fairness to Elon Musk and Xai, they've essentially
(11:59):
said that they they violated no laws. They followed all
the protocols and the rules and regulations necessary to justify
doing this project.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
And this is what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
But if people, if their health is endangered at four
times the normal rate of what it normally would be,
ladies and gentlemen, we got ourselves a problem. And there's
nobody on this planet, especially nobody in the United States
of America, especially nobody in Memphis, who should sit silent
(12:33):
about this. We're as strong as our weakest link. And
those impoverished living in impoverished neighborhoods need our voice.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
They need our help.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So we need to keep a watchful eye on this
and to make sure all the odds are dotted and
teased across to ensure that while revenue is being generated,
that corners aren't being cut to potentially compromise the well
being of the impoverished, amongst us. They matter just as
(13:10):
much as the rest of us, just as much as
the rest of us, and there's no way in hell
that we should sit outly, buy and be quiet off
something like this. It's potentially going on.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
So while I.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Disagreed with the NAACP's position about inviting Trump to their
convention to speak, I applaud the NAACP for bringing attention
to this by announcing that they're gonna follow this lawsuit
to get this matter addressed. Good looking out, mister Johnson,
(13:45):
Good looking out.
Now let's get to the NAACP.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
In two headlines linked to the civil rights organization, the
first involves President Donald Trump, the organization announced they will
not invite the president to their national convention next month
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
This would mark the first time.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
The NAACP has opted to exclude a sitting president in
its one hundred and sixteen year history. NAACP president Derek
Johnson announced the move during a press conference, accusing Trump
of working against its mission. Here's a portion of what
Johnson had to say. Quote this has nothing to do
(00:43):
with political party. Our mission is to advance civil rights,
and the current president has made clear that his mission
is to eliminate civil rights end quote.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
The NAACP has filed.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Multiple lawsuits against Trump in the last few months, including
to stop the Department of Education from withholding federal money
for schools that did not end DEI programs, arguing the
department was prohibiting legal efforts to provide equal opportunity to
black students. First things, First, respect to Derek Johnston. Dereck Johnson,
(01:19):
I understand where you're coming from. I just don't agree, respectfully.
I don't agree that this was the right decision to make.
Number One, let's stop associating DEI with black people when
you talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion. We all know
that the biggest beneficiaries of DEI has been white women.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
And we all know.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
That folks associate DEI with individuals who weren't qualified but
were just giving an opportunity so a place could be diverse.
And that's not what I would classify us as, and
I'm certainly I'm certain that you wouldn't either, mister Johnson.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So that's number one.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Number two, here's where my reticence really really comes in.
Why not let the forty seventh President of the United
States come and address the NAACP convention. Why not give
Donald Trump a chance to sit before your audience, your constituents,
(02:19):
and explain exactly what he's doing.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And why why not let him do that?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Why not let him stand before the very people whose
lives he's purported to have had a profound effect upon
with some of his decisions, and let him explain what
is it that he's doing and why. When we talk
about the Department of Education again, we all understand that
our students need all the help that we can get,
especially in the public schools.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Federal funding is essential and we understand that. But at
some point in time don't we have an obligation to
look at exactly what the Education Department has done and
whether or not it has served to benefit our commun
unity as in the black community, along with various communities
throughout the country, throughout this country, the United States of America.
Do we just write a check and automatically give it
(03:10):
to people, taxpayer dollars to people without deciphering how well
they do their jobs?
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Are we not allowed to probe.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
And a look at them and to say, what exactly
are you doing with the American dollars? With the taxpayer
dollars from the American citizens. I don't know the answer.
I'm not proclaiming to know the answer. I'm simply saying
I want to hear if the president is taking this
strong position, and he's campaigned on eradicating the Department of
Education for years, why does he feel that way? What
(03:46):
evidence does he have to validate his assertions? And if
indeed there is profound evidence to support such a position,
who are those that are supporting it? We need to
ask those questions, and I think that standing before members
(04:07):
of the NAACP at your very own convention. I think
that that would serve well to invite him and let
him come before you all and try to explain what
he's doing, so you'll have him on a record, not
just sound bites that airs on CNN or MSNBC or
Fox News or ABC, CBS, NBC or whatever. No, let
(04:30):
him sit before you and explain and defend his position.
Most importantly, you could try to ignore the President of
the United States, but you know what can't be ignored
(04:51):
his actions until twenty twenty eight. Mister Derrick Johnson. He's
not going away. He's not going away. By the way,
the NAACP did sue him, and remember sue him with
a civil suit successfully, I might add, as it pretends
to the insurrection.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
In twenty twenty one on January.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Sixth, Did that stop him from becoming president again? He's
been sued, He's been convicted thirty four felony council. Whatever
did its end up the jail. Didn't he still run
for reelection? Didn't he still skate right through the GOP.
(05:36):
Didn't he win the popular vote and the electoral College
vote and every swing state you don't get to ignore him.
As my point, he has been the most powerful, the
most influential member of the GOP since two thy and fifteen.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
How does you refusing to.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Invite him, ostracizing him, not wanting to hear what he
has to say to you all? How does that help you?
How I'm not saying to agree with him. I'm not
saying side with him. I'm not saying befriend him. I'm
not saying any of those things. But ignoring him ain't
gonna get it done. None of you truly want to
(06:21):
be about the business of helping folks, particularly the disolate
and disenfranchise in our country, the urban communities throughout America.
Not that that's all the NAACP does, because I'm certainly
not implying that. All I'm saying is that clearly is
who you're interested in helping. Ignoring him and not even
inviting him to come and speak at your convention, what's
(06:47):
that going to accomplish.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
For the first time in a one hundred.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
And sixteen year history, you're not inviting your president. Are
you trying to tell me that there's no president that
has been as offensive to the NAACP as Donald Trump?
In one hundred and sixteen years, Are you really making
that argument that, no matter what you think about Donald Trump,
(07:15):
that's the only person that's the only president of the
United States that you've been able to say that about
in a one hundred and sixteen year history of the NAACP.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
One hundred and sixteen years, doing the math that goes
back to nineteen oh nine. Since nineteen o nine, there's
no president that has ever been.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
More offensive to the NAACP than Donald Trump. Is that
your argument, Let's say, for the sake of arugument, that
it is for the moment. Other than the progressive left,
(08:07):
who's going to definitively agree with your position. You might
have folks out there that want to contribute to the
courses of the NAACP that are center left and center right.
They may not agree with Donald Trump either, but they
recognize the importance of being able to work with the
President of the United States. Just think about it. I
(08:32):
don't think this is the right move.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
If all of us had to like the people we had.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
To deal with and do business with, how would business
ever get done in this country if not this world?
It's a rhetorical question. Mister Derek Johnson, I know you
know the answer. Let me move on to a second
headline involving the NAACP, and this is pertaining the Elon
(09:02):
Musk in the city of Memphis. The NAACP, along with
the Southern Environmental Law Center, said they intend to sue
Elon Musks artificial intelligence company.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Called x AI.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
They have major concerns about air pollution generated by a
supercomputer facility located near predominantly black communities in Memphis. The
XAI data center began operating last year, powered in part
by pollution emitting gas turbines, without first applying for a permit.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Officials have said an exemption.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Allowed them to operate for up to three hundred and
sixty four days without a permit. However, Southern Environmental Law
Center says there is no such exemption for turbines and
that it's now been more than a year. They also
say the use of the turbines violates the Clean Air
Act and that residents who lived near the facility already
(09:57):
face cancer risk at four times the next average. That
last sentence is all that matters to me, no doubt.
This is in South Memphis. From what I've read that
it's a poor and impoverished neighborhood. Now Elon Musk and
his company will tell you that it's generating billions for
(10:20):
the local economy, if not at least hundreds of millions
of dollars.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
They're talking about.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Plants that are being built, one that's cost over thirty
five million dollars and something else, and that's going to
generate jobs. We certainly understand the importance of generating jobs,
generating revenue, stimulating an economy, making sure that folks within
the Memphis community, specifically the Memphis community are benefiting. As
(10:51):
mere Poor Young pointed out, they're trying to make sure
that the revenue generated, at least twenty five percent of
that revenue is allocated for folks within a five mile
radius of this plant. I respect that, I understand it.
I understand the importance of economics. I understand the importance
of a flourishing local economy.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
I understand about jobs.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I get it because you want to pay your bills
and what have you. But air pollution, risk of cancer
four times greater than it normally is. What good is
everything I mentioned? If you're dead, we can't have that.
(11:37):
We can't have that. So the NAACP, according to law
is obligated. I you're gonna follow this lawsuit, you gotta
give them sixty days notice. And that is what has happened.
So this lawsuit essentially is forthcoming and we'll know the facts.
And in fairness to Elon Musk and Xai, they've essentially
(11:59):
said that they they violated no laws. They followed all
the protocols and the rules and regulations necessary to justify
doing this project.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
And this is what they're doing.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
But if people, if their health is endangered at four
times the normal rate of what it normally would be,
ladies and gentlemen, we got ourselves a problem. And there's
nobody on this planet, especially nobody in the United States
of America, especially nobody in Memphis, who should sit silent
(12:33):
about this. We're as strong as our weakest link. And
those impoverished living in impoverished neighborhoods need our voice.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
They need our help.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So we need to keep a watchful eye on this
and to make sure all the odds are dotted and
teased across to ensure that while revenue is being generated,
that corners aren't being cut to potentially compromise the well
being of the impoverished, amongst us. They matter just as
(13:10):
much as the rest of us, just as much as
the rest of us, and there's no way in hell
that we should sit outly, buy and be quiet off
something like this. It's potentially going on.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
So while I.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Disagreed with the NAACP's position about inviting Trump to their
convention to speak, I applaud the NAACP for bringing attention
to this by announcing that they're gonna follow this lawsuit
to get this matter addressed. Good looking out, mister Johnson,
(13:45):
Good looking out.
Host
Stephen A. Smith
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