Why Stephen A. Smith thinks Donald Trump is behind Kash Patel's NBA gambling investigation

The NBA world was rocked on October 23 when the FBI announced the arrest of 34 people tied to a multi-year gambling investigation. Among the arrests were current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former player and assistant coach Damon Jones.

It was the biggest sports story of the day, and will likely be a major talking point for weeks to come. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith used his platform on the company's "First Take" show to address the situation. When discussing the situation, Smith made an ominous, declarative statement saying, "Trump is coming."

Smith bypassed the FBI's portion of the investigation and instead linked the timing of the reveal, plus the addition of the press conference, to the sitting president. 

Here is more on why Smith thinks President Trump is behind the FBI's NBA gambling investigation. 

MORE NBA GAMBLING SCANDAL NEWS:

• Latest updates on NBA players, coaches arrested
• Chauncey Billups-mafia poker ring charges, explained
• Terry Rozier illegal betting charges, explained
• How LeBron James is connected to Damon Jones
• History of lifetime bans in the NBA

What did Stephen A. Smith say about Donald Trump?

Smith has not been shy about speaking on politics, and has even had some appearances on political television shows. The sports analyst spoke about the FBI's investigation and the timing of the announcement of the findings on "First Take."

Here is what Smith said about the situation and President Trump.

"Trump is coming. Bad Bunny is performing at the Super Bowl and all of a sudden you hear that ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is going to be there looking to engage in mass deportations. The Super Bowl. Disrupting things. It’s not an accident, it’s a statement. And it’s a warning that more is coming. It’s as serious as it gets.

In his eyes, folks tried to throw him in jail, In his eyes, he’s innocent. ‘They tried to put me behind bars. I’m getting everybody.’ He’s not playing. Talk to people in the NBA, talk to people in the NFL, talk to people in the world of sports. They think this is the tip of the iceberg.

Don’t be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list. Because when you have all of these protests that have been going on out there, and people have been protesting against him... this man is coming.”

"Trump is coming. He's coming...Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what's going on today...this is just the tip of the iceberg" - Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/gngy9qbPIG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2025

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Kash Patel responds to Stephen A. Smith

Patel was interviewed on Fox News about the investigation on Thursday night. He was reminded of Smith's comments and asked for his response.

Patel said, "I’m the FBI director. I decide which arrests to conduct and which not to conduct. That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history, and I live most of my time in Washington, D.C. It’s right up there with Adam Schiff—we arrest people for crimes.”

— yeet (@Awk20000) October 24, 2025

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NBA gambling investigation

On the morning of October 23, it was announced before 8 a.m. ET that Rozier had been arrested by the FBI as a suspect in a gambling investigation. Within the hour, Billups was also arrested, and a press conference was set for 10 a.m. ET to provide more details. 

Despite the NBA clearing Rozier earlier in the summer, he is still under investigation by the FBI and is heavily linked to the accusations. The guard is accused of intentionally leaving a game early in 2023 so that his friends and partners could bet the under on all of his statistical prop bets. 

Billups is accused of being involved in illegal poker games run by the mafia and playing a role in rigged games that resulted in unknowing individuals losing massive amounts of money. 

Jones has been named in both investigations, largely for leaking injury report information to bettors from when he was a player and a coach. 

FBI investigations are still ongoing. 

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Is Stephen A. Smith running for president?

There is speculation that Smith may run for president in 2028, and he has lightly hinted at the chance.

For now, though, Smith is just increasing his political chatter and is not actively running for any positions.