(NewsNation) — ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has reversed his previous stance and is now open to the possibility of running for president in 2028.
Speaking at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Smith told interviewer Mike McVay that while he initially had “no desire” to enter politics, recent developments have caused him to reconsider, Barrett Media reported.
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“Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it,” Smith said. “I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill, governors, mayors and other elected officials who have legitimately and seriously asked me about running.”
Stephen A. Smith previously said he wouldn’t run for president
Smith, who previously dismissed the idea despite some polls showing him as a potential top Democratic candidate, now says he’s keeping his options open.
“I’m no longer going to close that door,” he said. “If it comes to late 2026 or 2027, and I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess, and there’s legitimate reason to believe I have a shot to win the presidency, I am not going to rule it out.”
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The popular sports commentator believes his lack of political record would be an advantage, allowing him to “eat other candidates alive” based on their existing records, per Barrett Media.
Stephen A. Smith registered as Independent: The Hill
Stephen A. Smith has always been open about his political beliefs, but he had a lot of political commentary on his podcast and talk shows in 2024, according to The Hill. Smith is a registered independent and has reportedly said that he is moderately to the left overall, despite agreeing with both sides on certain issues.
Smith had supported former Vice President Kamala Harris during her 2024 election run but said he would consider voting for a Republican but “never” Trump, The Hill reported.
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Stephen A. Smith takes part in an event Feb. 7, 2025, in New Orleans leading up to the Super Bowl.
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FILE – Stephen A. Smith walks on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)
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Stephen A. Smith shouts during the first half of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on their long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said. Stephen A. Smith joins “CUOMO” to discuss.
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Stephen A. Smith speaks on stage during the Semafor Media Summit on April 10, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Semafor)
After her loss, he allegedly expressed regret for supporting Harris, saying that the Democratic Party wasn’t focusing on the main issues that voters had cared about. The Hill reported that some Democrats have said the party could use all the help it can get.
“Democrats are looking for someone who will forcefully argue our points and not back down,” said Democratic strategist Jared Leopold. “And it hasn’t been in politics, but Stephen A. Smith has made a career of doing just that.”
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Smith went on The View in November and said, if he were to run, he would run as an Independent. However, on his podcast in March, he said he would “probably” run as a moderate Democrat.
If Stephen A. Smith runs as a Democrat
If Smith decides to run as a Democrat, Politico reported that he would likely face many potential candidates, including:
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom
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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris
Smith believes he could also face Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Smith has long been a critic of Trump, but he believes that Democrats are to blame for letting him back in office.
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“Yes, you did say beware, beware, beware,” Smith said Saturday during his podcast. “You told us these things. But you still lived life, allowing cancel culture and identity politics to be pervasive throughout our society. Y’all did that, as Democrats.”
He also said that the Democratic Party had a “bad few months” and “there’s no real national voice.”
Barrett Media reported that Smith said he wouldn’t enter the race unless he believed he could win and make meaningful changes for the country.
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