ESPN's Stephen A. Smith apologizes for false divorce claims, then dines with Trump
The gist
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith apologized for wrong Iman Shumpert/Teyana Taylor divorce numbers, days after a Lane Johnson apology.
He also gave a 36-minute account of a four-hour White House dinner with Trump.
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2026BasketballNews reports Smith apologized to a former NBA champion and his ex-wife over "numbers that turned out to be completely wrong" in the Iman Shumpert/Teyana Taylor divorce story, days after apologizing for comments about Lane Johnson's retirement.
- Oct 15, 2026Terrell Owens pushes for ESPN to suspend Smith over his Lane Johnson comments; Smith had addressed the misstep on First Take and issued multiple apologies. That evening Trump hosts a White House dinner with Smith, Bill Maher and Kid Rock.
- Oct 16, 2026Smith gives a 36-minute breakdown on "Straight Shooter with Stephen A" of the visit, which he said lasted more than four hours. Trump tells reporters the dinner "was great" and that he gave the group a tour of the ballroom under construction.