Stephen A. Smith Says Obama Called Before 2024 Vote After Biden Criticism

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 31

Smith said Barack Obama phoned him before the 2024 election to discuss his influence, but kept the conversation private and declined to appear on his podcast.
The revelation came as Smith defended himself over an NABJ "thumbs-down" award, saying backlash intensified after he argued Joe Biden "was done" and Democrats privately engaged him while avoiding on-camera debate.
Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among the Democrats Smith said contacted or met with him without joining his show; he said Harris met him for two hours.
NABJ has said Smith was one of five award recipients and that its concerns extended beyond him to editorial independence, newsroom diversity, treatment of Black journalists and the use of influential media platforms.