Tempers flared and frustrations boiled over during a NewsNation town hall at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on October 15 and 16, 2025, as ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith made headlines for dramatically storming off stage. The catalyst? A searing testimony from Jack Criss Jr., a veteran air traffic controller, who revealed he’d been forced to take on a side gig as a DoorDash delivery driver to pay his daughter’s tuition amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The event, hosted by Chris Cuomo and featuring a panel that included Bill O’Reilly and several members of Congress, quickly shifted from policy debate to a raw display of public anger. The government shutdown, now stretching into its third week after beginning on October 1, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers in limbo, sparking widespread anxiety and hardship across the country. According to NewsNation and USA TODAY, airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Hollywood Burbank have already experienced staff shortages, snarling travel and underscoring the shutdown’s ripple effects.
Jack Criss Jr., who’s worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 16 years and weathered previous shutdowns under both the Obama and Trump administrations, approached the microphone with a heavy heart. “I’m an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration. I’ve been there for 16 years. I’ve also been through the Obama shutdown and the Trump shutdown in the previous…,” Criss began, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. Then, he laid bare the reality facing so many federal employees: “My question is, under the current political climate, do you think this shutdown could actually be longer than the previous shutdown? … I am actually driving DoorDash when I got off from work just to make sure I can pay for my daughter’s tuition.”
The panel’s reaction was immediate, but it was Stephen A. Smith who seized the moment, channeling the anger of millions. The longtime radio host and ESPN’s First Take personality became visibly fired up, turning to the lawmakers and media figures on stage. “I don’t think Washington understands how ticked off we truly are. … A young man walked up to the microphone and said that he had to leave here to go and work on DoorDash to help pay for his daughter’s tuition. Meanwhile, everybody up here is getting paid, but he ain’t,” Smith declared, according to USA TODAY and NewsNation footage.
Smith’s words struck a chord with the audience, many of whom applauded his candor. He didn’t stop there. “This is why you have so many Americans, excuse my language, so (expletive) off at Washington,” Smith continued, his frustration palpable. “We all look at our check and it’s been going to the government and somehow, some way you’re supposed to be doing something constructive and productive enough to make sure that we don’t have that kind of deficit.”
Smith’s critique wasn’t limited to the shutdown itself. He took aim at the ballooning national debt, which has now soared past $37.8 trillion. “It isn’t happening,” he said bluntly, referencing the government’s failure to address the ever-growing deficit. The ESPN host’s commentary echoed the sentiments of many Americans who feel that political gridlock in Washington is leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of fiscal irresponsibility and partisan deadlock.
As the debate raged on, the lawmakers on stage—among them Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pennsylvania—traded barbs over who was to blame for the impasse. Rep. Jordan pointed out, “Republicans have passed a bill that funds the government at the level the Democrats wanted.” Dean fired back, “You’re failing to govern,” highlighting that the Republican Party held the White House and both houses of Congress, a position she referred to as “the trifecta.” The exchange, reported by NewsNation, underscored the deep partisan divide that has paralyzed Congress and left federal workers like Criss without paychecks.
For Smith, the panel’s political wrangling was the final straw. “Everybody up here is getting paid,” he said, gesturing to the lawmakers and media personalities around him. “The only person that don’t have a check coming is him,” Smith added, pointing to Criss. Then, in a move that caught even the seasoned panelists off guard, Smith announced, “You know what, I’m going to take a break,” before rising from his chair and exiting stage right. The audience erupted in applause, a spontaneous show of solidarity with Smith’s frustration and Criss’s predicament.
Smith’s walk-off became an instant viral moment, with clips circulating widely on social media and news outlets. The outpouring of support for both Smith and Criss highlighted a growing sense of disillusionment among Americans, especially those directly impacted by the shutdown. For many, Criss’s story was a stark reminder of the human cost of political dysfunction—federal employees forced to take on second jobs, families struggling to make ends meet, and a sense of betrayal by those elected to serve.
The shutdown’s impact has been felt far beyond the walls of the Kennedy Center. Across the country, federal workers have been left scrambling to pay bills, cover tuition, and keep food on the table. Airports have faced staff shortages, leading to delays and disruptions for travelers. The financial strain has become a central point of pressure on both Democrats and Republicans to find a resolution, but with neither side willing to budge, the stalemate drags on.
As reported by USA TODAY, Smith has previously hinted at keeping an open mind about a potential presidential run, though his focus during the town hall remained squarely on the plight of ordinary Americans. “Politicians need to work to get things better,” Smith asserted, urging those in power to put aside partisan squabbles and prioritize the needs of the people they represent.
The town hall, intended as a forum for dialogue and debate, ultimately became a stage for public outrage and a rare moment of unity among an audience weary of political gamesmanship. Smith’s impassioned exit and Criss’s heartfelt testimony served as a wake-up call—not just for the panelists, but for a nation grappling with the real-life consequences of government inaction.
As the shutdown continues, the stories of workers like Jack Criss Jr. and the voices of those like Stephen A. Smith serve as powerful reminders that behind every political standoff are real people whose lives hang in the balance.