Talk show host Stephen A. Smith left a televised town hall Wednesday during a discussion about the ongoing government shutdown.
The federal government has been shut down for two weeks and counting. NewsNation hosted a town hall featuring Smith, journalist Bill O’Reilly, former Sen. Joe Manchin, Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA).
Among the attendees was a man named Jack, an air traffic controller from the Dallas, Texas, area. Since there were current house members present, Jack asked them how much longer the shutdown will be, as he is currently working without a paycheck. In the meantime, Jack said he was working as a food delivery person.
“We’re listening to this kind of stuff while a young man walked up to the microphone and said that he had to leave here to go and work on DoorDash to help pay for his daughter’s tuition. Meanwhile, everybody up here getting paid, but he ain’t,” Smith said in response to Jack’s question.
Smith was referring to the representatives, who continue to get paid during government shutdowns per the Constitution.
“It’s this kind of stuff right here,” Smith said, referring to the example of Jack.
“A man has to work on DoorDash when he’s really an air traffic controller … and we’re up here talking about how much some money is going to cost, and the only person that don’t have a check coming is him,” Smith added.
“You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to take a break.”
Smith got up to leave the stage.
NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo, who was moderating the town hall, stood in front of Smith’s empty chair and continued taking questions from the crowd. Later on during the town hall, Smith returned to the stage.
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Earlier this year, Smith started a political talk show that includes Republican and Democratic guests. The ESPN host has long claimed to be an independent as he became increasingly critical of the Democratic Party since the 2024 election.
According to Smith, he is “leaving all doors open” to a political career.