ESPN host Stephen A. Smith explains why he feels “concerned” about the elimination of DEI measures after President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive actions rolling back the previous initiatives.
“I’m worried about it. I’m certainly not going to celebrate it because I don’t like the way I think the right is handling this particular issue,” Smith told The Will Cain Show on Wednesday afternoon.
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The ESPN host highlighted his and Cain’s previous discussions about DEI, saying that asking questions and talking about a merit-based society is ‘cool’.
“But there are others on the right who are hiding behind that verbiage to obscure how they really come across,” Smith explained, arguing that many conservatives are trying to “suggest that anyone hired under DEI — is that you certainly was’. ‘Not competent. You weren’t qualified.’
President Donald Trump signs documents while issuing executive orders and pardons for January 6 suspects in the Oval Office of the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, he has signed several executive orders surrounding DEI measures, including the “End radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferences.”
The President also signed the “Ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity“Executive order.
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“Let us understand that we cannot ignore why the existence of DEI came into being. It was because of the inequities in the system, the people who weren’t hired before, competent individuals from minority communities across the country who (don’t) feel like they’re being treated fairly,” Smith said.
Smith also highlighted the Rooney Take care of that emerged in the NFL’s recruiting practices. The rule is intended to increase the number of minorities hired in head coaching, general manager and executive positions, according to the NFL Operations page.
“You would certainly think that you should be able to interview whoever you want. You shouldn’t be forced to interview an African-American candidate,” he said, before asking why that policy would have been put in place in the first place.
Washington, DC – January 20: President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders at the White House in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (Getty)
“It implemented that policy because of the inequality practiced by various NFL owners throughout history. All I’m saying is, let’s not forget that reality,” Smith argued.
The sports host argued that if by eliminating DEI measures, an organization ended up with “seven, eight, nine different positions” that were all white employees, “you’re basically implying that all those white people are the best.” candidates, and we couldn’t find anyone from another community who could be competent.
Smith explained this further by saying eradicating DEI programs and by rethinking the hiring process, institutions should be careful to avoid an all-white workforce.
“(If) you know that 40% of the candidates are African Americans or Latinos or a combination of both, and 60% of them are white. Nobody will have a problem with that. But if 95 to 100% of them are White from the moment DEI is eradicated, you send the message that the only reason other people were given those opportunities was because of DEI and not because of their qualifications,” he argued.
President Donald Trump holds a document on the day he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 suspects in the Oval Office of the White House, January 20, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
“I’m saying you have to be careful and careful to make sure that message doesn’t get spread because that’s inaccurate,” he continued. “And history has proven that in many different circumstances. That’s all.’
When Smith, who did not vote for Trump, was asked about his overall view of the president and whether he would vote for him if he were to switch, he said he is leaning on his success.
“I don’t know if I would vote for him because I don’t trust that there won’t be chaos,” he said. “I’m not trying to call him authoritarian or anything, but the White House, the Senate, Congress, etc., such complete power makes me nervous, especially in the hands of someone like him who can be a leader. bit petty and stuff like that.”
Smith, who said he is an independent, revealed he has voted Republican in the past and likes both liberal and conservative policies.
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“To me, a successful presidency is what benefits America, not him (President Trump). And if that means voting rights, I will vote well (the) next election and (the) elections after that. And the election after that I’m not ashamed to tell you, Smith said.
