Stephen A. Smith questions how two ex-presidents built massive fortunes
Stephen A. Smith questioned the fortunes of former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama while arguing that politicians should prosper financially only when the American people are also doing well on his podcast, "Straight Shooter."
Stephen A. Smith is offering criticism of the multi-million-dollar net worths of two recent former presidents while arguing that the leaders of the country should only prosper financially if Americans are also doing so.
The sports commentator and host of the "Straight Shooter" podcast weighed in on any profits President Donald Trump is making while serving in the nation’s highest office.
"I don't give a damn what money politicians slide into their own pockets from time to time," Smith said on Wednesday’s episode of his podcast. "If the American people are prospering, get yours. It's a capitalistic society."
Smith went on to cast doubt on how former President Bill Clinton obtained his multi-million dollar net worth.
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Stephen A. Smith speaks onstage during the 2025 ForbesBLK Summit at Ray Charles Performing Arts Center Morehouse College on Oct. 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
"I’ll confess something to ya’ll," Smith continued. "Clinton was a lawyer in Arkansas. Grew up poor, relatively broke. How the hell him and the Clinton Foundation is worth hundreds of millions of dollars beat me."
Smith also pointed to former President Barack Obama’s similar high net worth.
"Barack Obama was a community organizer who became the president of the United States and, last time I checked, that salary ain't over $450,000, if I remember correctly," Smith said.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama deliver remarks at the Kids' State Dinner in the East Room at the White House (ISP POOL IMAGES)/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
"I got to double check that," he added. "How the hell you depart from office worth over $200 million?"
According to an investigation conducted by Forbes, both Bill and Hillary Clinton have netted approximately $240 million since leaving office in 2021.
Bill Clinton is reportedly responsible for the majority of the couple’s earnings, raking in $189 million by authoring books and $106 million in paid speeches.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton gives a double thumbs up as Bill Clinton stands beside her at the conclusion of a campaign rally at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 7, 2016. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
A similar investigation by Forbes revealed Obama gained a net worth of about $20 million throughout his 12 years working as both a senator and serving as president, raising his net worth to around $70 million in 2024.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Obama and Clinton for comment.
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Smith went on to tell his audience that while he does not mind if politicians are earning high profits if the American people are also doing well financially, he does not believe that is currently the situation within the country.
"I'm cool with it if the American people are prospering, but last time I checked, that's not the case," Smith said.
