Bill O’Reilly expressed his support for Stephen A. Smith after the latter came under fire for his recent remarks about Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
The conservative commentator decided to weigh in on the debate between Smith and attorney and politician Bakari Sellers, given that his name was dropped in the back-and-forth — which crossed multiple platforms, including the “Native Land” podcast, Smith’s SiriusXM show and social media.
“What the hell? I’d like to know what Sellers is doing for the black community,” he said, referring to the CNN commentator’s similar dig at Smith. “And yet CNN pays him money to keep doing this stuff.”
The “No Spin News” host then defended Smith’s comments about Crockett, in which Smith criticized the congresswoman for speaking out against President Donald Trump without backing up her words with actions.
“He said Congresswoman Crockett was a fraud,” O’Reilly said. “And it’s true. She’s there for self-aggrandizement, a bit like [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez.
O’Reilly said he has since spoken with the sports and political commentator, suggesting that Sellers was “jealous because you have a lot more African Americans who respect you.”
The origins of this drama began when Sellers joined the “Native Land” podcast with Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross and Andrew Gillum. The group discussed Smith’s criticism of Crockett, and Sellers called Smith a “charlatan.”
Sellers doubled down on his comment in an Instagram video Friday, saying the sports and political commentator cares more about high-profile political figures’ views on his ideas than the Black community.
“While you enjoy the look of these individuals in the White House, the look of people like Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, you stay silent like a church mouse pissing on cotton when Donald Trump tries to take away our voting rights, when he sends the police and the National Guard into our American cities, driving black and brown people out of their homes,” Sellers said in an Instagram video.
“What you hear in my voice is not resentment. It’s disappointment,” Sellers added. “I know you stand on the shoulders of strong black men, and you disappoint us every time you continue to tear down these people who are doing this real work.”
O’Reilly, in his response, also countered this idea. “No one is trying to take away the right to vote from African-Americans. It’s just stupidity,” he said. “There’s just no evidence of that… It’s just the usual progressive chatter.”
However, the TV personality noted that Sellers is welcome to come on his show at any time and debate him if he wants, adding that he doubts he will accept it.
Watch O’Reilly’s full response above.
