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Stephen A. Smith did something rare in today’s overheated media landscape: he called out a performative politician for showboating instead of serving her district. On his Straight Shooter podcast he named Rep. Jasmine Crockett and asked a blunt question conservatives have been asking for years — is grandstanding the same as doing the hard work of governing? His point cut through the usual echo chamber and reminded Americans that voters deserve representation, not hot takes.
Crockett has cultivated a loud, combative brand that rallies online applause but too often yields no wins for constituents, and that dynamic deserves scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. Conservatives don’t mourn principled debate, but we do reject performative virtue signaling that substitutes rhetoric for results; voters of all backgrounds are tired of politicians who treat Congress like a stage. It’s no surprise independent voices like Stephen A. — who speak plainly and are willing to offend the right people — resonate with working Americans.
Brandon Tatum’s reaction video captured the moment and the broader frustration many feel: the media and some politicians trade in personal attacks while real problems pile up. Tatum highlighted how the spectacle around Crockett’s theatrics and the predictable media outrage both distract from issues like jobs, public safety, and the border. Whether you agree with Tatum’s tone or not, the underlying complaint is legitimate — Americans want leaders who produce, not personalities who preen.
Contrast that with the media’s own chaotic standards: MSNBC recently parted ways with an analyst after an on-air remark about the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk, a move that underscores how quickly media outlets buckle under pressure and pundit mobs. The network’s decision to fire a commentator for a hot-button remark shows the same cancel-culture reflex that silences nuance and fuels partisanship — a dangerous impulse for outlets that claim to defend free speech. This double standard only deepens public distrust in mainstream media institutions.
Everyone should condemn political violence and mourn the loss of life; the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing exposed both raw grief and a rush to politicize tragedy. Crockett and other Democrats understandably condemned violence, yet some responses also revealed the left’s tendency to weaponize deaths for political gain while ignoring the wholesale failure to protect free speech on campuses and in our public life. Responsible conservatives will stand firmly against violence while demanding fair coverage and accountability across the media.
The fight ahead is about restoring common-sense representation and media that prizes truth over theatrics. Conservatives should welcome honest critics wherever they come from — including outspoken figures like Stephen A. who call out failure when they see it — and use this moment to push for leaders who actually deliver for their districts. Americans are waking up to the cost of performative politics; it’s time both parties answer for results, not just applause lines.
