Stephen A. Smith Flirts with Presidential Run Again, Setting Sights on 2028
ESPN’s outspoken sports personality, Stephen A. Smith, has once again thrown his hat into the political ring, signalling a serious consideration for a run at the US presidency in 2028. This latest revelation comes after he previously suggested he had abandoned such ambitions, adding another layer to his on-again, off-again flirtation with the Oval Office.
In a recent interview with Robert Costa of CBS News Sunday Morning, scheduled to air in full on February 15, Smith revealed that he is giving “strong consideration” to participating in the 2027 debates. He stated, “I will confess to you, I’m giving strong consideration to being on that debate stage for 2027. I’ve got this year coming up, 2026, to think about it, to study, to know the issues.”
This isn’t the first time the prominent broadcaster has hinted at a presidential aspiration. Reports have even placed him in some hypothetical 2028 candidate polls, indicating a persistent curiosity about his potential political impact.
When pressed on his preferred Democratic candidates for 2028 in the past, Smith has notably mentioned Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Shapiro, in particular, was once considered a potential running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election cycle.
However, Smith’s interest in a presidential bid appears to stem from a deep-seated disillusionment with the current state of the Democratic Party. He has expressed a belief that, given his dissatisfaction, he may have no other choice but to enter the political fray himself.
A Multifaceted Political Stance
Smith’s journey towards contemplating a presidential run has been marked by a series of evolving statements and public appearances. He has spoken of being approached by individuals in positions of power, including elected officials and those on Capitol Hill, who have seriously inquired about his political prospects.
“I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it,” Smith revealed in April of last year. He continued, “I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door.”
This sentiment contrasts with remarks he made to USA TODAY a month prior, where he claimed to “not give a damn about the office” and expressed a preference for engaging in spirited debates with sports figures. Yet, in the same month, during an appearance on “The View,” he made a bold assertion that he could “beat them all,” referring to potential Democratic primary opponents.
The narrative took another turn in June when, during an appearance on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Smith appeared to definitively rule out a run. He explained his reasoning, stating, “The way I look at it, the money that I have earned working my ass off all of these years now, I would have to curry favor, which means I would be owned. And I ain’t having that, so I’m not interested in that at all.” He suggested he would rather remain a “hell raiser” than pursue the presidency in 2028.
It remains to be seen whether Smith’s perspective on potentially being “owned” by the political system has shifted.
Critiques of the Democratic Party
Smith’s criticisms of the Democratic Party have been a recurring theme in his public discourse. In July 2025, he articulated his concerns to ABC News, describing the party as appearing “leaderless.”
“I’m certainly not here to cast dispersions upon individuals, but as a body, the Democratic Party just looks very, very bad right now because they look leaderless,” Smith stated. “They don’t have a definitive voice that anybody can depend on.”
Presidential Endorsement?
While the composition of Smith’s potential voter base remains a subject of speculation, one prominent figure has publicly expressed enthusiasm for his political aspirations: former President Donald Trump.
During a town hall event with NewsNation last year, Trump commented on Smith’s media presence, saying, “I love watching him. He’s got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him.” He went on to add, “I’ve been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you, I’d love to see him run.”
Smith’s continued contemplation of a presidential run injects an unpredictable element into the political landscape, leaving many to wonder if this seasoned commentator will indeed step onto the national political stage.
