If you’ve been keeping up with the political debates, you probably already know that opinions are flying all over the place. But when it comes to analyzing these events, nobody does it quite like Frank Luntz. As one of the most renowned pollsters in the game, Luntz has his finger on the pulse of elections. On a recent episode of *The Stephen A. Smith Show*, Luntz didn’t hold back on his critique of Donald Trump’s debate performance. According to Luntz, Trump’s showing wasn’t just bad—it was a disaster.
Let’s dive into the details of what went down and why Luntz thinks Trump blew it.
Trump Fumbles on Inflation, the Key Issue
Luntz kicked things off by pinpointing one of Trump’s biggest mistakes: ignoring the number one issue on voters’ minds—inflation. Time and again, Trump was handed the opportunity to address it, but every time the topic came up, he pivoted to something else.
Luntz couldn’t figure out why. “It’s a gift,” Luntz emphasized, pointing out how easy it should’ve been for Trump to hammer home a message on inflation, which is directly affecting everyday Americans in terms of food, fuel, housing, and healthcare. But instead, Trump seemed more interested in talking about unrelated topics, completely missing the chance to connect with voters on this critical issue.
Bad Optics: Trump’s Body Language Mishap
It wasn’t just what Trump said—or didn’t say—that hurt him. Luntz also took aim at Trump’s body language, noting that he appeared mean, angry, and unwilling to look at Harris during the debate. According to Luntz, this came off as disrespectful to many viewers, especially women, some of whom likely saw it as reminiscent of a difficult ex or unruly family member.
On the flip side, Harris made eye contact and turned toward Trump, signaling respect, even as they clashed on the issues. This contrast in demeanor didn’t do Trump any favors and left Luntz scratching his head about Trump’s lack of composure.
The Stephen A. Smith Show is sure to entertain, inform, and motivate anyone who tunes in.