Longtime ESPN host Stephen A. Smith criticized the NAACP on Friday for breaking a 116-year tradition by refusing to invite President Donald Trump to its national convention. Smith, speaking on \u201cThe Stephen A. Smith Show,\u201d argued that while he does not support Trump, ignoring him is unproductive. He emphasized Trump\u2019s lasting influence on the GOP since 2015 and questioned how excluding him helps the NAACP\u2019s cause. Smith challenged the organization\u2019s decision, asking whether Trump is truly the most offensive president in over a century, and warned that shutting out opposing voices undermines progress, particularly for disenfranchised communities the NAACP aims to support.<\/p>\n
NAACP President Derrick Johnson defended the decision, stating that Trump\u2019s actions\u2014such as signing unconstitutional executive orders, deploying the military against civilians, and eroding civil rights\u2014make him incompatible with the group\u2019s mission. Johnson said that while the NAACP remains nonpartisan and values open dialogue, the convention must remain a safe space for advocates of democracy and civil rights. He called Trump\u2019s tactics \u201cradical and un-American\u201d and said offering him a platform would legitimize fascism. Johnson also confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would also not be invited, citing the administration\u2019s overall disregard for democratic principles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Longtime ESPN host Stephen A. Smith criticized the NAACP on Friday for breaking a 116-year tradition by refusing to invite President Donald Trump to its national convention…. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n