Democrats’ focus on opposing President Donald Trump at every turn is costing them politically, according to sports commentator and political observer Stephen A. Smith. Speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Smith argued that the party’s unwillingness to engage with real issues has driven away voters, making it increasingly difficult for them to win future elections.
Smith pointed to Democrats’ behavior during Trump’s recent joint address to Congress, where they refused to acknowledge key moments of the speech, including tributes to a young cancer survivor and a slain officer’s widow. He called their conduct “absolutely pathetic,” arguing that their unwillingness to engage even on nonpartisan issues reveals how disconnected they have become from average Americans.
He also criticized their repetitive messaging, referencing a widely shared video in which multiple Democratic lawmakers delivered identical anti-Trump talking points. “Nothing innovative, nothing authentic,” he said, calling it a clear sign of weak leadership and a party lacking direction.
Smith stressed that Trump’s policies, particularly his economic measures like tariffs, could further expose Democratic failures. He warned that if those policies succeed, Democrats will have little to offer voters. “Lord help them if the tariffs situation works in Trump’s favor. They’re really not going to have a leg to stand on then,” he said.
In his discussion with Hannity, Smith pointed out that Democrats have strayed far from their traditional role as the party of the working class. Once known for championing middle-class concerns, the party has shifted its focus to other priorities, leaving behind the voters who propelled them to power in past decades.
Recent polling reflects this shift. A Quinnipiac University survey from January showed Democrats’ approval rating at 31%, with a disapproval rating of 57%. Meanwhile, Republicans held a 43% favorable rating, highlighting a growing divide between the parties.
Smith, who has been vocal in his criticisms of both parties, made it clear that he believes Democrats must change course. “I’m ready to purge the damn party,” he said, emphasizing that unless they refocus on real leadership, they will continue losing ground to Trump and his policies.
