Stephen A. Smith supplied a stunning reprimand from former Fox News -Gastheer Pete Hegseeth, who questioned his qualifications for the role of Minister of Defense – all while he appeared live on Fox News.
Smith's comments came during a heated discussion with Sean Hannity on Tuesday evening when the debate – which started about diversity, equity and inclusion (dei) initiatives – took an unexpected turn.
The ESPN personality seized the opportunity to call Hegseeth's lack of references for the supervision of the military operations of the nation.
The segment started with Hannity who criticized a dei policy that was implemented under the Obama administration.
He focused on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and linked its diversity efforts to two recent aircraft accidents, despite a lack of any evidence that suggests that Dei played a role.
'Their diversity push includes a focus on hiring people with' serious intellectual 'and' psychiatric 'disabilities,' claimed Hannity, while leaving the fact that comparable language was also used during the first Trump administration.
'Now Stephen A. You fly a lot. Do you want people with an intellectual and psychiatric disability in those control tower? '
Smith immediately pushed back and made it clear that his concern was not in the termination of dei initiatives, but rather with the way their elimination was framed.
Stephen A. Smith delivered a stunning reprimand from former Fox News -Gastheer Pete Hegseeth, who questioned his qualifications for the role of Minister of Defense
Smith's comments came during a heated discussion with Sean Hannity on Tuesday evening
“Not at all,” Smith replied. “My problem with the extermination of Dei was … the explanation that the Trump administration and others gave about it. I don't want to hear that dei is automatically about people who happen to be minorities who are not qualified.
“That is what I said is that it is one thing to get rid of it completely. It is something else to articulate and articulate the position that me, I know, know what? Everyone who was associated with dei are unqualified individuals. '
Hannity nodded in accordance with, but Smith was not ready and quickly turned to Hegseeth, making an example of the former Fox & Friends Weekend host and military veteran.
“But if, for example, you have someone like Hegseeth,” said Smith. “Let's use it because he is your former colleague at Fox News …”
Hannity, felt where the conversation went, intervened. “Keep my friend outside here.”
Smith, known for his non-starting style, continued to press. “Pardon, listen, I don't mention anything personal,” he kept full.
“I just say my God, Sean. If you talk about people who are unqualified, I wish him nothing but the best, he served our country in the army, I get all of that. But if you are a weekend host on Fox News and now you are the Minister of Defense of the United States who supervise three and a half million people, that is not qualified. '
Hannity remained astonished for a while, but soon tried to set up a defense of Hegseeth.
Pete Hegseeth was a political commentator on Fox News from 2014 and was a weekendmost of Fox & Friends from 2017 to 2024
Conservatives have largely taken itself to the defense of Hegseeth and points to his military service and Ivy League training as proof of his qualifications
“Have you served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gitmo?” Hannity shot back. “Did you go to Harvard or Princeton?”
Smith, not surprised, replied that he hadn't done that. But the damage was done.
Conservatives have largely taken themselves to the defense of Hegseeth and points to his military service and Ivy League training as proof of his qualifications.
'Stephen A forgot to mention that' The Weekend Host on Fox News' served in the army. If that is insufficient qualification there, then Idk is what is: 'One user is added.
'No offense, Mr Smith … who is just qualified, if not Pete? Have you been to the army, military? Are senators qualified when they are voted? “Another asked.
'Another Loudmouth Leftie! Pete Hegseeth is more than qualified! What does this hack know about Pete? Only because he was on Fox News, does this disqualify him to keep one of the highest offices in the country? Hogwash! Pete Hegseeth is multidimensional and a click of all trades? I am more than sure that he is the right man to lead the Dod! 'Chimed a third.
In the meantime, critics of HegseTh argued that experience as a TV gastheer is not the same as a high-level government position with enormous responsibility
In the meantime, critics of HegseTh argued that experience as a TV gastheer is not the same as a high-level government position with enormous responsibility.
'Even with his military background in the National Guard, he was still not qualified. He was never managed more than 1000 people and he does not have the right experience and training. His CV fades compared to all others who have been nominated in that position in history, “wrote a user.
“He is about as correct as it is possible to be.”
'I can't stand a smith Stephen, but he is 100% correct here. Anyone who defends these unqualified nominations as he claims that they want meritocracy is simply completely wrong, or lies against herself, “wrote a third.
“Haha, Fox News gets a dose of truth. Too much for Sean to handle, “another joked and noticed Hannity's uncomfortable response.
