Stephen A. Smith is arguably the most-well known sports commentator in the country. But the outspoken ESPN commentator’s perspective outside the sports arena has landed him in a firestorm.
The furor is due to his pointed comments defending an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot a Minneapolis woman driving away from him.
Just hours after the shooting on Wednesday, Smith said on his SiriusXM “Straight Shooter” talk show that although the killing of Renee Nicole Good was “completely unnecessary,” he added that the agent “from a lawful perspective” was “completely justified” in firing his gun at her.
He also noted, “From a humanitarian perspective, however, why did he have to do that?”
Smith’s comments about the agent being in harm’s way echoed the views of Deputy of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said Good engaged in an “act of domestic terrorism” by attacking officers and attempting to run them over with her vehicle.
However, videos showing the incident from different angles indicate that the agent was not standing directly in front of Good’s vehicle when he opened fire on her. Local officials contend that Good posed no danger to ICE officers. A video posted by partisan media outlet Alpha News showed Good talking to agents before the shooting, saying, “I’m not mad at you.”
The shooting has sparked major protests and accusations from local officials that the presence of ICE has been disruptive and escalated violence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frye condemned ICE, telling agents to “get the f— out of our city.”
The incident, in turn, has put a harsher spotlight on Smith, raising questions on whether he was reckless or irresponsible in offering his views on Good’s shooting when he had no direct knowledge of what had transpired.
An angered Smith appeared on his “Straight Shooter” show on YouTube on Friday, saying the full context of his comments had not been conveyed in media reports, specifically calling out the New York Post and media personality Keith Olbermann, while saying that people were trying to get him fired.
He also doubled down on his contention that Good provoked the situation that led to her death, saying the ICE agent was in front of Good’s car and would have been run over had he not stepped out of the way.
“In the moment when you are dealing with law enforcement officials, you obey their orders so you can get home safely,” he said. “Renee Good did not do that.”
When reached for comment about his statements, a representative for Smith said his response was in Friday’s show.
It’s not the first time Smith, who has suggested he’s interesting in going into politics, has sparked outside the sports universe. He and journalist Joy Reid publicly quarreled following her exit last year from MSNBC.
He also faced backlash from Black media personalities and others when he accused Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas of using “street verbiage” in her frequent criticisms of President Trump.
“The way that Jasmine Crockett chooses to express herself … Aren’t you there to try and get stuff done instead of just being an impediment? ‘I’m just going to go off about Trump, cuss him out every chance I get, say the most derogatory things imaginable, and that’s my day’s work?’ That ain’t work! Work is, this is the man in power. I know what his agenda is. Maybe I try to work with this man. I might get something out of it for my constituents.’ ”
IF the Beckhams expected a heartwarming reunion with their oldest son for Christmas, they could be disappointed.
Recent efforts to reach out to estranged Brooklyn — who has been missing from all the family’s milestones this year — appear to have been met with a frosty reception.
The Beckhams’ recent efforts to reach out to estranged Brooklyn appear to have been met with a frosty receptionCredit: Instagram26-year-old Brooklyn was absent from all the family’s milestones this yearCredit: AFPBrooklyn has not been pictured with his family since Christmas last yearVictoria shared a photo of her mum Jackie’s fireplace adorned with stockings. Each bore the name of one of her grandchildren — including BrooklynCredit: Instagram
It is fast approaching 12 months since the rift began, but David and Victoria remain optimistic that their icy relationship might still thaw.
However, 26-year-old Brooklyn was absent from them all. In fact, he has not been pictured with his family since Christmas last year.
This week, his brother Cruz, 20, tried to bridge the divide by sharing throwback snaps on Instagram. One showed Brooklyn with an arm around his youngest sibling on a beach in Brazil when they were little.
And last month, their grandmother Jackie left a sweet comment with a heart emoji under one of Brooklyn’s social media posts.
Overnight, David also shared an old snap of him winning the MLS Cup when he played for LA Galaxy.
But so far, Brooklyn has failed to respond. And his most recent online post made no mention of the rest of the Beckham clan.
If the chance to hang out with the squad’s superstar strikerLionel Messi did not tempt him to turn up, few things will.
David and Victoria are not giving up on reconciling with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, a Beckham insider tells us Victoria, who is also mum to Harper, 14, and Romeo, 23, is still struggling to make sense of the fallout.
But ever the showwoman, she is focusing on keeping things merry and bright for the rest of the clan.
We are told: “Victoria is determined not to let the argument with Brooklyn ruin Christmas, even though she is absolutely heartbroken by it.
“It’s been a year since they last all saw each other and it’s something she will never come to terms with.
“But she won’t let it get her down over the festive period as she needs to be strong, especially for Harper, as well as her parents and David’s parents.
“They have done nothing in all of this, but it seems like they’re the ones being punished the most.”
Last month, Victoria shared a photo of her mum Jackie’s fireplace adorned with stockings. Each bore the name of one of her grandchildren — including Brooklyn, who has reportedly cut his grandparents out of his life, too.
Victoria is determined not to let the argument with Brooklyn ruin Christmas, even though she is absolutely heartbroken by it
Insider
Days later, David’s mum Sandra left a comment under a festive social media post Brooklyn had shared. In it, he was seen wrapping up a bottle of his own hot sauce brand, Cloud23, to which Sandra replied, “That for me” alongside a heart emoji.
Her question went unanswered, but followers flocked to the comment section begging Brooklyn to reach out to his family before it’s too late.
One raged: “Go and see your parents . . . you only get one set and that’s it,” while another simply said, “Ring your mother!”
Victoria may be famous for not smiling, but now, in a bid to keep the family’s spirits up, she’s plastering on a big one.
Our source said: “Brooklyn spent so much time with her parents Jackie and Tony for the first few years of his life and they had such a special bond, while Sandra looked after him so much growing up. It’s awful they no longer have that close relationship.
“Harper really misses her big brother and Nicola. Victoria is hoping that Brooklyn at least calls his grandparents over Christmas. She’s given up on him calling her.”
We are told that, as usual, the family will spend Christmas Day surrounded by loved ones at their £12million Cotswolds pile.
Brooklyn stayed deafeningly silent when dad David was finally awarded his knighthood in JuneCredit: InstagramHe was also the only member of the family not celebrating last week when David lifted the MLS Cup again, this time as co-owner of Inter MiamiCredit: GettyDavid shared an ‘olive branch’ snap to Brooklyn amid their family’s feudCredit: Instagram
“They feel it’s a case of the more, the merrier, as it’s then less obvious that Brooklyn isn’t there,” our source revealed.
It’s safe to say that no one could have predicted how bitter things would get this time last year. Granted, there had been simmering tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and his family since their wedding in 2022.
At the time, there was confusion over Nicola’s decision to wear a Valentino gown instead of one designed by her mother-in-law. It was later claimed Victoria offered to dress her son’s bride, then backed out.
Despite the rumoured tension that followed, Nicola and Brooklyn continued to represent the family brand for a while. But that support is gone.
In May, Brooklyn and Nicola — who live in a $16million Los Angeles mansion — failed to attend David’s birthday celebrations or even acknowledge his 50th online.
She won’t let it get her down over the festive period as she needs to be strong, especially for Harper, as well as her parents and David’s parents
Insider
Brooklyn also did not wish his mum a happy birthday a month earlier, but posted gushing tributes to Nicola, including the pointed comment: “I always choose you, baby.”
Likewise, he stayed deafeningly silent when David was finally awarded his knighthood in June, and snubbed November’s investiture.
Brooklyn also failed to give a nod to Victoria’s Netflix documentary, Victoria Beckham, which came out in October. That month, she debuted her spring 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week, again without her eldest son’s backing.
But by all accounts, Brooklyn’s biggest two-fingered salute to his parents had to be his very lavish, very loud, vows renewal in August.
According to insiders, he did not even tell them about the event, which was held at his in-laws’ mega-mansion in New York.
Nicola’s billionaire father Nelson Peltz presided over it, and the bride wore her mother Claudia’s wedding dress. The message was clear: They’ve officially jumped off the Beckham bandwagon.
But Brooklyn’s biggest two-fingered salute to his parents had to be his very lavish, very loud, vows renewal in AugustCredit: InstagramBrooklyn pictured with the Peltz familyCredit: Instagram/brooklynpeltzbeckham
To that end, there have even been whispers in recent weeks that Brooklyn and Nicola — who both go by double-barrelled Peltz-Beckham — are planning to drop the Beckham from their surname.
Nepo baby Brooklyn has long capitalised from his famous family name — and Nicola, who was not that well known before marrying him, has benefitted from it, too.
They don’t need the Beckham name any more and they would like any future babies to be Peltzes
Insider
Her family’s wealth, estimated at $1.7billion, may eclipse the Beckhams’ £500million fortune, but her in-laws’ social cache in showbiz circles has opened myriad doors to the aspiring actress and model.
But now it is feared they are determined to cut ties for good.
‘Ultimate insult’
An insider told Heat magazine: “They both feel their double-barrelled name is associated with the feud and they want to move on.
“They don’t need the Beckham name any more and they would like any future babies to be Peltzes.
“Obviously, it would be the ultimate insult to David and Victoria — they’ve spent nearly 30 years building up Brand Beckham and, if Brooklyn dropped the family name, there would be no going back.
“It feels like he’d be making their current estrangement permanent.”
Cruz’s tried to bridge the divide by sharing throwback snaps on InstagramCredit: Instagram/ @cruzbeckhamThe snap shared by the brother showed Brooklyn with an arm around his youngest sibling on a beach in Brazil when they were littleCredit: Instagram/ @cruzbeckham
Ironically, despite the documentary, plus TV and podcast chats, showing Victoria’s more authentic side, she is having to stay tight-lipped about her personal anguish.
However, amid the turmoil, she has been wowing the US, popping up on late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live and featuring on podcast Call Her Daddy.
The Beckhams famously lived in LA when David played football there but, while well received by the celebrity jet-set, they never fully found their footing, with Victoria still carrying the mantle of a WAG.
Now, though, the US is taking her seriously as a fashion designer, beauty impresario and a pop icon with a wicked sense of humour, which she would no doubt love to celebrate with her whole family.
After Christmas, we are told the Beckhams will head to Bath for Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty’s wedding on the 27th.
They are long-time pals with the bride’s family — Gordon Ramsay, and his wife Tana, plus their six children. But while the Ramsays were all there to see Brooklyn and Nicola say “I do”, it’s unlikely they’ll return the favour.
The fact Olympian Adam’s mum Caroline is banned from the nuptials amid a fallout will no doubt resonate with David and Victoria.
Still, some Beckham fans reckon there is still hope of a reconciliation. Firstly, Brooklyn’s stocking on his grandma’s fireplace proves that he will always have a place in the family.
Then, Cruz’s memories of the siblings as kids may hint he is mellowing after backing his parents and, along with brother Romeo, unfollowing Brooklyn on Instagram.
He has also lashed out at whispers the row erupted as Romeo was dating Brooklyn’s ex, Kim Turnbull — rumours she strongly denied.
Still, the question remains: Will Brooklyn take his cue and bury the hatchet for good? All signs so far point to a stubbornness that’s set to continue into the new year.
Brooklyn has made it clear that Nicola is his priority and, with her also showing little interest in a reconciliation, Victoria knows rooting for a reunion could be futile.
Then again, there’s always hope of a Christmas miracle.
Victoria’s mum Jackie pictured with a young BrooklynCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdDavid’s mum Sandra left a comment along with a heart emoji under a festive social media post Brooklyn had shared for his own hot sauce brand, Cloud23Credit: instagram/brooklynbeckhamBrooklyn with his grandmother Sandra watching his father during Real Madrid’s victory against Mallorca in the Spanish Super CupCredit: Big Pictures
Stephen A. Smith doubles down on calling ICE shooting ‘justified’
Stephen A. Smith is arguably the most-well known sports commentator in the country. But the outspoken ESPN commentator’s perspective outside the sports arena has landed him in a firestorm.
The furor is due to his pointed comments defending an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot a Minneapolis woman driving away from him.
Just hours after the shooting on Wednesday, Smith said on his SiriusXM “Straight Shooter” talk show that although the killing of Renee Nicole Good was “completely unnecessary,” he added that the agent “from a lawful perspective” was “completely justified” in firing his gun at her.
He also noted, “From a humanitarian perspective, however, why did he have to do that?”
Smith’s comments about the agent being in harm’s way echoed the views of Deputy of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said Good engaged in an “act of domestic terrorism” by attacking officers and attempting to run them over with her vehicle.
However, videos showing the incident from different angles indicate that the agent was not standing directly in front of Good’s vehicle when he opened fire on her. Local officials contend that Good posed no danger to ICE officers. A video posted by partisan media outlet Alpha News showed Good talking to agents before the shooting, saying, “I’m not mad at you.”
The shooting has sparked major protests and accusations from local officials that the presence of ICE has been disruptive and escalated violence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frye condemned ICE, telling agents to “get the f— out of our city.”
The incident, in turn, has put a harsher spotlight on Smith, raising questions on whether he was reckless or irresponsible in offering his views on Good’s shooting when he had no direct knowledge of what had transpired.
An angered Smith appeared on his “Straight Shooter” show on YouTube on Friday, saying the full context of his comments had not been conveyed in media reports, specifically calling out the New York Post and media personality Keith Olbermann, while saying that people were trying to get him fired.
He also doubled down on his contention that Good provoked the situation that led to her death, saying the ICE agent was in front of Good’s car and would have been run over had he not stepped out of the way.
“In the moment when you are dealing with law enforcement officials, you obey their orders so you can get home safely,” he said. “Renee Good did not do that.”
When reached for comment about his statements, a representative for Smith said his response was in Friday’s show.
It’s not the first time Smith, who has suggested he’s interesting in going into politics, has sparked outside the sports universe. He and journalist Joy Reid publicly quarreled following her exit last year from MSNBC.
He also faced backlash from Black media personalities and others when he accused Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas of using “street verbiage” in her frequent criticisms of President Trump.
“The way that Jasmine Crockett chooses to express herself … Aren’t you there to try and get stuff done instead of just being an impediment? ‘I’m just going to go off about Trump, cuss him out every chance I get, say the most derogatory things imaginable, and that’s my day’s work?’ That ain’t work! Work is, this is the man in power. I know what his agenda is. Maybe I try to work with this man. I might get something out of it for my constituents.’ ”
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Inside Victoria Beckham’s plans for first Xmas without Brooklyn as pals reveal she’s given up on him calling her back
IF the Beckhams expected a heartwarming reunion with their oldest son for Christmas, they could be disappointed.
Recent efforts to reach out to estranged Brooklyn — who has been missing from all the family’s milestones this year — appear to have been met with a frosty reception.
It is fast approaching 12 months since the rift began, but David and Victoria remain optimistic that their icy relationship might still thaw.
The couple had plenty to celebrate in 2025, including David’s long-awaited knighthood and 50th birthday, and Victoria’s Netflix documentary and booming fashion and beauty brand.
However, 26-year-old Brooklyn was absent from them all. In fact, he has not been pictured with his family since Christmas last year.
This week, his brother Cruz, 20, tried to bridge the divide by sharing throwback snaps on Instagram. One showed Brooklyn with an arm around his youngest sibling on a beach in Brazil when they were little.
And last month, their grandmother Jackie left a sweet comment with a heart emoji under one of Brooklyn’s social media posts.
Overnight, David also shared an old snap of him winning the MLS Cup when he played for LA Galaxy.
But so far, Brooklyn has failed to respond. And his most recent online post made no mention of the rest of the Beckham clan.
He was the only member of the family not celebrating last week when David lifted the MLS Cup again — this time as co-owner of Inter Miami.
If the chance to hang out with the squad’s superstar striker Lionel Messi did not tempt him to turn up, few things will.
David and Victoria are not giving up on reconciling with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, a Beckham insider tells us Victoria, who is also mum to Harper, 14, and Romeo, 23, is still struggling to make sense of the fallout.
But ever the showwoman, she is focusing on keeping things merry and bright for the rest of the clan.
We are told: “Victoria is determined not to let the argument with Brooklyn ruin Christmas, even though she is absolutely heartbroken by it.
“It’s been a year since they last all saw each other and it’s something she will never come to terms with.
“But she won’t let it get her down over the festive period as she needs to be strong, especially for Harper, as well as her parents and David’s parents.
“They have done nothing in all of this, but it seems like they’re the ones being punished the most.”
Last month, Victoria shared a photo of her mum Jackie’s fireplace adorned with stockings. Each bore the name of one of her grandchildren — including Brooklyn, who has reportedly cut his grandparents out of his life, too.
Days later, David’s mum Sandra left a comment under a festive social media post Brooklyn had shared. In it, he was seen wrapping up a bottle of his own hot sauce brand, Cloud23, to which Sandra replied, “That for me” alongside a heart emoji.
Her question went unanswered, but followers flocked to the comment section begging Brooklyn to reach out to his family before it’s too late.
One raged: “Go and see your parents . . . you only get one set and that’s it,” while another simply said, “Ring your mother!”
Victoria may be famous for not smiling, but now, in a bid to keep the family’s spirits up, she’s plastering on a big one.
Our source said: “Brooklyn spent so much time with her parents Jackie and Tony for the first few years of his life and they had such a special bond, while Sandra looked after him so much growing up. It’s awful they no longer have that close relationship.
“Harper really misses her big brother and Nicola. Victoria is hoping that Brooklyn at least calls his grandparents over Christmas. She’s given up on him calling her.”
We are told that, as usual, the family will spend Christmas Day surrounded by loved ones at their £12million Cotswolds pile.
“They feel it’s a case of the more, the merrier, as it’s then less obvious that Brooklyn isn’t there,” our source revealed.
It’s safe to say that no one could have predicted how bitter things would get this time last year. Granted, there had been simmering tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and his family since their wedding in 2022.
At the time, there was confusion over Nicola’s decision to wear a Valentino gown instead of one designed by her mother-in-law. It was later claimed Victoria offered to dress her son’s bride, then backed out.
Deafeningly silent
Nicola was also apparently devastated at the reception when the Beckhams’ pal, singer Marc Anthony, referred to Victoria as “the beautiful woman in the room”.
Despite the rumoured tension that followed, Nicola and Brooklyn continued to represent the family brand for a while. But that support is gone.
In May, Brooklyn and Nicola — who live in a $16million Los Angeles mansion — failed to attend David’s birthday celebrations or even acknowledge his 50th online.
Brooklyn also did not wish his mum a happy birthday a month earlier, but posted gushing tributes to Nicola, including the pointed comment: “I always choose you, baby.”
Likewise, he stayed deafeningly silent when David was finally awarded his knighthood in June, and snubbed November’s investiture.
Brooklyn also failed to give a nod to Victoria’s Netflix documentary, Victoria Beckham, which came out in October. That month, she debuted her spring 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week, again without her eldest son’s backing.
But by all accounts, Brooklyn’s biggest two-fingered salute to his parents had to be his very lavish, very loud, vows renewal in August.
According to insiders, he did not even tell them about the event, which was held at his in-laws’ mega-mansion in New York.
Nicola’s billionaire father Nelson Peltz presided over it, and the bride wore her mother Claudia’s wedding dress. The message was clear: They’ve officially jumped off the Beckham bandwagon.
To that end, there have even been whispers in recent weeks that Brooklyn and Nicola — who both go by double-barrelled Peltz-Beckham — are planning to drop the Beckham from their surname.
Nepo baby Brooklyn has long capitalised from his famous family name — and Nicola, who was not that well known before marrying him, has benefitted from it, too.
Her family’s wealth, estimated at $1.7billion, may eclipse the Beckhams’ £500million fortune, but her in-laws’ social cache in showbiz circles has opened myriad doors to the aspiring actress and model.
But now it is feared they are determined to cut ties for good.
‘Ultimate insult’
An insider told Heat magazine: “They both feel their double-barrelled name is associated with the feud and they want to move on.
“They don’t need the Beckham name any more and they would like any future babies to be Peltzes.
“Obviously, it would be the ultimate insult to David and Victoria — they’ve spent nearly 30 years building up Brand Beckham and, if Brooklyn dropped the family name, there would be no going back.
“It feels like he’d be making their current estrangement permanent.”
Ironically, despite the documentary, plus TV and podcast chats, showing Victoria’s more authentic side, she is having to stay tight-lipped about her personal anguish.
However, amid the turmoil, she has been wowing the US, popping up on late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live and featuring on podcast Call Her Daddy.
The Beckhams famously lived in LA when David played football there but, while well received by the celebrity jet-set, they never fully found their footing, with Victoria still carrying the mantle of a WAG.
Now, though, the US is taking her seriously as a fashion designer, beauty impresario and a pop icon with a wicked sense of humour, which she would no doubt love to celebrate with her whole family.
After Christmas, we are told the Beckhams will head to Bath for Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty’s wedding on the 27th.
They are long-time pals with the bride’s family — Gordon Ramsay, and his wife Tana, plus their six children. But while the Ramsays were all there to see Brooklyn and Nicola say “I do”, it’s unlikely they’ll return the favour.
The fact Olympian Adam’s mum Caroline is banned from the nuptials amid a fallout will no doubt resonate with David and Victoria.
Still, some Beckham fans reckon there is still hope of a reconciliation. Firstly, Brooklyn’s stocking on his grandma’s fireplace proves that he will always have a place in the family.
Then, Cruz’s memories of the siblings as kids may hint he is mellowing after backing his parents and, along with brother Romeo, unfollowing Brooklyn on Instagram.
He has also lashed out at whispers the row erupted as Romeo was dating Brooklyn’s ex, Kim Turnbull — rumours she strongly denied.
Still, the question remains: Will Brooklyn take his cue and bury the hatchet for good? All signs so far point to a stubbornness that’s set to continue into the new year.
Brooklyn has made it clear that Nicola is his priority and, with her also showing little interest in a reconciliation, Victoria knows rooting for a reunion could be futile.
Then again, there’s always hope of a Christmas miracle.
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