Stephen A. Smith storms off stage during panel discussion of government shutdown

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Thursday stormed off a NewsNation town hall panel discussion for a break after something an audience member said upset him.

What upset Smith was when a young member of the audience, identified as Jack Criss Jr., described how the ongoing government shutdown has been affecting him.

“I’m an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration,” Criss began, according to the New York Post. “I’ve been there for 16 years. I’ve also been through the Obama shutdown and the Trump shutdown.

“My question is, under the current political climate, do you think this shutdown could actually be longer than the previous shutdown? … I am actually driving DoorDash when I got off from work just to make sure I can pay for my daughter’s tuition,” he added.

Smith was heartbroken by Criss’ words:

THIS is why so many Americans are pissed off. @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/7gsispxVT8

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 16, 2025

“I’m trying to be very respectful to everybody because they deserve it,” he began. “But let me say this: I don’t think Washington understands how ticked off we truly are. We’re looking at a president that just gave $20 billion to Argentina. We’re witnessing what I consider to be a retribution tour. And even though, to some degree, I don’t blame him because of how people went after him, still it appears to be counterproductive.”

“We’re listening to this kind of stuff while a young man walked up to the microphone and said he had to leave here to go and work on DoorDash to help pay for his daughter’s tuition. Meanwhile, everybody up here gets paid, but he ain’t,” Smith added.

Turning up the anger, Smith then went off.

“This is why you have so many Americans — excuse my language — so pissed off at Washington!” he declared. “Our debt is $37.8 trillion. Somehow, some way, the taxpayer has been paying this, been throwing money, because we all look at our check and it’s been going to the government. And somehow, some way, you’re supposed to be doing something constructive and productive enough to make sure that we don’t have that kind of deficit. It isn’t happening.”

The audience roared in agreement.

“A government shutdown is going on right now,” Smith continued. “A man has to work on DoorDash when he’s really an air traffic controller that we applaud it, and we’re up here talking about how much some money is gonna cost, and the only person that don’t have a check coming is him. You know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna take a break.”

The response to his outburst was mostly positive, though some critics did take issue with his overblown criticisms of President Donald Trump.

I would vote Stephen A. in 2028. He’s always been a straight shooter and I’ve always been captivated by his words.

— edward (@onbrandviews) October 16, 2025

Well said Stephen A. DC is nothing but Uniparty politicians playing war games and ruining the lives of common folk while they get filthy rich.

— Eric Ausen (@EA40) October 16, 2025

Idk how you can disagree with anything he’s saying.

It’s a shame that US workers in the frontline aren’t getting paid while politicians and Congress who are holding this up still do.

— PWW (@PartyWithWolves) October 16, 2025

You know I said I’d never vote for another democrat ever again in life on mere principle but if Smith ran I’d at least review his policies before I cast my vote for a republican. He gives me hope that the party can change for the better.

— Sharron Denice ‍ (@SharronDenice) October 16, 2025

@stephenasmith you ain’t lying, they big wigs sitting comfy while the ever day Joe needs to find how to hold down 2 jobs to make ends meet. I don’t feel sorry for crooked politicians, matter of fact the moment the government shuts down they need to be paid last.

— McMuphin (@Supedznutz) October 17, 2025

As noted earlier, there were critics, including some who wondered why Smith couldn’t open his own wallet to help the DoorDash driver.

Other critics accused Smith of engaging in a theatrical performance without offering any substantive solutions.

The final set of critics came at his jugular for “making excuses” for the president’s so-called “retribution tour.”

Trump is not a victim.

He turned his convictions around on us because we had the audacity to try and hold a rich white man accountable for his illegal activities.

And you’re making excuses for him. We see exactly what you’re doing and it’s gross @stephenasmith https://t.co/jlguWTrC25

— shut up, josh (@ChiefJosheola) October 17, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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