"There is a responsibility that comes with making these decisions, not just in who is let go, but in how the news is communicated. When that control slips and information leaks before leadership delivers the message directly, it doesn't just create headlines—it erodes trust.
"One of the great joys for me in this show is how much stuff I get to learn, either when I do the research for the show or talking to guests or talking to listeners."
Smiley was ordered to pay PBS $2.6 million after a jury found he broke the morality clause in his contract. He has continually denied any wrongdoing in the case.
"I said, ‘Honey, we are never leaving this house unless KFAB in Omaha ever called. We would have a decision to make.’ Gary Sadlemyer called me essentially out of the blue the next day."
The event with Ramaswamy comes weeks after Smerconish hosted a similar event with 2024 Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The SiriusXM host has said he wants to host as many potential candidates as possible.
"When the people who are so proud to proclaim that they're on the right side, it's insufferable. It's grandstanding. It's playing hero and they want to be seen as part of the club."
"There is a responsibility that comes with making these decisions, not just in who is let go, but in how the news is communicated. When that control slips and information leaks before leadership delivers the message directly, it doesn't just create headlines—it erodes trust.
"It's a positive to merge with SiriusXM. It is interesting that all these competitors in the arena are now joining forces. That never would happened ten years ago."