Trump bashes ‘loudmouth’ ESPN host who attacked him for sleeping at NBA Finals: ‘Dumb as a rock’
Trump lobbed a flurry of insults at the commentator, who has flirted with running for president.
Ryan Cooper 
President Donald Trump fired back on Wednesday morning after ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith took aim at him for allegedly dozing off during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The War of Words
Trump did not mince words, taking to his Truth Social account to address the criticism. “Stephen A. Smith is an arrogant fool, a low IQ individual. In other words, he’s ‘dumb as a rock,’ and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or even low political office, for that matter!” Trump posted.
The confrontation began when Smith, who has previously flirted with the idea of a presidential run, mocked the former president for his behavior during the matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. You can see the full reaction to the incident here.
'The Brother Wasn't Awake'
During Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” Smith did not hold back. “Guess what he was doing during the game, ladies and gentlemen,” the ESPN personality said. “Go online. Look at the video. I’m not going to accuse him of snoring because I wasn’t in earshot, but the brother wasn’t awake. He wasn’t awake.”
Beyond the nap accusation, Smith questioned Trump’s commitment to his longtime favorite team, the Knicks. “If it is that important for you to be there, why did you look like you were asleep?” Smith asked, drawing a parallel to Trump’s frequent use of the nickname ‘Sleepy Joe’ for former president Joe Biden. “Meanwhile, the New York Knicks were blowing Game 3. A team you pretend to love, a team you had season tickets to, a team you have supported throughout the years. You turned your back on them.”
Trump's Rebuttal
Trump dismissed Smith’s political aspirations entirely, claiming the commentator would be easily dismantled in a debate. “He’d get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians. Joe Biden’s now ‘fabled’ performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn’t much! Within a few weeks, they’d laugh him out of politics!!!” Trump declared.
