Stephen A Smith reveals Barack Obama privately called him after Biden criticism ahead of 2024 election

Podcast host Stephen A.

Smith revealed on Friday that former President Barack Obama called him before the 2024 election to discuss his influence, noting that Obama wanted to speak privately rather than appear on his podcast.

"What I never told y'all, and I never brought up, is that Barack Obama called me too.

The content of that conversation will remain private because I will not violate trust," Smith said.

"He called before the election to discuss my impact, but he didn't come on the podcast either." Smith spoke to "The Culture Table ," hosted by Tori Cooper, Sumatra Abernathy and Ashley Christopher, about receiving a "thumbs-down" award from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) at an Atlanta gala, defending himself against the criticism.

STEPHEN A SMITH CALLS OUT JILL BIDEN, DEMS FOR 'LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH' AND DAMAGING PARTY'S BRAND "It was after I said that we need a new president because Joe Biden clearly was done .

You know, he clearly looked done.

So the point is, folks like to talk to me privately, but then when I ask them to come on camera and to have a fruitful discussion, now they go elsewhere," he continued.

"So it's like I'm taking these hits, and these are people that want to facilitate or assist in the facilitation of these narratives being disseminated and projected about me.

But the same people calling me privately, having discussions upon which I have never violated.

This is the first time anyone has ever heard me publicly state that Barack Obama called me," Smith said.

OBAMA BLAMES SPLINTERED MEDIA FOR PREVENTING SUPERSTAR DEMOCRAT FROM RISING UP The former president's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Obama wasn't the only one Smith accused of not coming on his show.

He also named former first lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Rep.