Overview

• Stephen A. Smith appeared on Fox News' 'Hannity' to push back against claims linking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies to recent deadly plane crashes.
• Smith criticized conservatives, including Sean Hannity and former President Donald Trump, for baselessly blaming DEI initiatives for the accidents, which remain under investigation with no evidence supporting such claims.
• During the discussion, Smith questioned the qualifications of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host recently confirmed as Secretary of Defense, to oversee the Pentagon and its 3.5 million personnel.
• Hannity defended Hegseth by citing his military service and Ivy League education, but Smith argued that hosting a weekend TV show does not prepare someone for such a significant role.
• The FAA policies being criticized by Trump and Hannity, including hiring individuals with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, have been in place since 2013 and were unchanged during Trump's first term.