Stephen A. Smith Slams Trump Over Dismissing Affordability As a 'Con Job'

Stephen A. Smith Slams Trump Over Dismissing Affordability As a 'Con Job'

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith sharply criticized Donald Trump after the former president called the nation’s affordability concerns a Democratic “con job.” Speaking on ABC’s The View, Smith said Trump is downplaying an issue that matters to many voters and is trying "to act as if there's no concern."

As host of SiriusXM’s Straight Shooter with Stephen A., Smith argued that Trump is minimizing the affordability crisis because it is politically problematic for him. "He has to say that right now because it’s an issue and a concern for the American people," Smith said, adding that the president portrays his actions as "so beautiful and so marvelous" while ignoring everyday financial pressures.

"The Democrats are good at a few things, cheating on elections and conning people with facts that aren't true," Trump told reporters after the November elections, dismissing critics who point to rising living costs.

Analysts have pointed to affordability messaging as one reason Democrats outperformed expectations in recent contests, including high-profile gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Several Republican figures have acknowledged affordability is a pressing voter concern; the article notes comments from Sen. J.D. Vance and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Greene, speaking to CNN in November, said grocery and energy prices "remain high," and suggested those concerns may have contributed to recent GOP losses. Despite such acknowledgements from members of his party, Trump has continued to minimize affordability ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Smith praised Democrats for forcing the administration to respond politically, saying they have "gained some momentum" and have compelled Trump to "play ball and figure out a way to beat them." He left the ultimate outcome open-ended: "We'll see what happens from there."

Reported remarks and attributions are drawn from public statements on ABC's The View, SiriusXM, CNN and post-election comments.