Stephen A. Smith delivered a\u00a0forceful defense\u00a0of capitalism and the American dream Thursday on his SiriusXM program, \u201cStraight Shooter with Stephen A.,\u201d accusing the socialist wing of the Democratic Party of portraying the United States as the source of Americans\u2019 economic struggles.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis ain\u2019t Denmark. This ain\u2019t Finland. This ain\u2019t Sweden. This is the United States of America,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
The ESPN commentator argued that the United States remained a destination for people who believe hard work and individual ambition can provide opportunities unavailable elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou roll over to these borders with the vision and the fantasy and the passion that, \u2018Yo, here I can achieve anything,\u2019\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
Smith said belief in economic mobility remained central to the country\u2019s identity despite concerns about inequality and the difficulties working-class Americans face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what this is about in America,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
Stephen A. Smith fiercely defended capitalism and the American dream on his SiriusXM show, blasting socialists for blaming the US. Stephen A. Smith \/ YouTube<\/p>\n
The \u201cFirst Take\u201d host\u00a0accused socialist activists\u00a0of blaming the country and its economic structure<\/a> instead of holding specific politicians, corporations and lobbyists responsible for policies that hurt Americans.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t talk about that enough when it comes to the socialists, because they\u2019re convincing folks that rather than individuals being a problem, rather than lobbyists being a problem, they\u2019re trying to convince you America\u2019s a problem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Smith also accused prominent advocates of socialism of condemning capitalism while personally benefiting from the wealth, audiences and opportunities available under the American economic system.<\/p>\n Bernie Sanders, Zohran\u00a0Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a rally for Mamdani in New York City, Oct. 26, 2025. Aristide Economopoulos<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s criticism came one day after Abdul El-Sayed<\/a>, a progressive Democratic candidate for US Senate in Michigan, released a joint 2025 federal tax return reporting $686,069 in total income and $675,246 in adjusted gross income.<\/p>\n El-Sayed has been\u00a0endorsed by democratic socialist\u00a0Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y<\/a>.<\/p>\n Smith warned at the time that socialist policies that resonated with younger voters in New York might not appeal to suburban and general election voters elsewhere in the country.<\/p>\n Smith also slammed socialist advocates as hypocrites, noting they benefit from the very capitalist system they condemn. Stephen A. Smith \/ YouTube<\/p>\n \u201cIf it resonates\u00a0within the Democratic Party, but it doesn\u2019t have a snowball\u2019s chance of resonating in a general election, then you\u2019re basically handing the presidency to the GOP as well,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n