Stephen A. Smith’s debate prowess was on full display during a fiery exchange with Sean Hannity on Fox News, earning him high praise from viewers.

One fan on social media likened the “First Take” host to a “leopard in a petting zoo” for his standout performance on “Hannity”. While Smith is typically known for dissecting basketball games, he didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts on the upcoming presidential election in November.

Vice President Kamala Harris is aiming to take over the presidency from fellow Democrat Joe Biden, facing off against Republican candidate Donald Trump.

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Both are currently wooing voters on the campaign trail in what has been a contentious race for the presidency. Hannity, a staunch Trump supporter, has openly criticized Harris and did so again on his show, accusing her of twisting her words like a “pretzel” in debates and concealing her true opinions.

He contrasted this with Trump, saying: “She has to give us word salads because she won’t tell us how she really feels. She’s hiding her true beliefs,” and added, “Donald Trump doesn’t do that.”

During a heated exchange on air, Smith couldn’t hold back and jumped in, saying: “I know you’re not talking about somebody being lucid and cogent and enunciating their thoughts with clarity, and you’re bragging about Donald Trump. We can’t be watching the same stuff if that’s what you’re doing.”

Hannity stood his ground, countering with: “She does these interviews, and I argue to you about the reason she is struggling. She’s like tied up in a pretzel because she can’t express what she has stated publicly.

“She has stated in the past to decriminalize illegal immigration, free food, housing, health care, education, sex change operations and a path to citizenship or banning fracking, banning offshore drilling, so she has to, you know, give us word salad because she won’t tell us how she really feels, she’s hiding her true beliefs.”

Hannity then hinted that his guest might end up voting for Trump despite previous statements, prompting the ESPN star to clarify: “I told you, I’m on the record. I’d have voted almost for any Republican but him. Nikki Haley. Chris Christie. But not him.”

Social media was ablaze after a fiery debate on live television, with one user commenting: “Stephen A. Smith has been baptized in the fires of loud broadcast sports journalism; unleashing him upon political coverage is like letting a leopard out at a petting zoo.”

Another viewer humorously remarked: “I don’t think Hannity has never seen an episode of ESPNs First Take. Stephen A brings the facts and can out talk anyone,” while someone else chimed in: ” I did not have Stephen A. Smith schooling Hannity on his own show on my 2024 bingo card.”