STEPHEN A. SMITH has emerged as a ‘legitimate’ candidate in the 2028 Presidential election.
The popular First Take host was named in a survey of potential Democratic candidates on a poll.
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It was not just any poll, but one conducted by Donald Trump’s former pollster John McLaughlin.
Shockingly, 57-year-old Smith won 2% of the vote from 414 people, just behind vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and ahead of former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke.
Kamala Harris led the poll with 33% and was the only name to poll in double digits.
John McLaughlin, who is CEO of McLaughlin & Associates, told Front Office Sports: “We included his name because there were media reports about him talking about the presidency.
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“But he didn’t come in at zero. He got some support.
“He certainly got media attention. So he’s probably gone up.
“But he’d probably have to take a pay cut.
“Just like President Trump had to take a pay cut. So we’ll see.”
Smith, who is reportedly set to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with ESPN, posted a famous meme of himself drinking a smoothie after the news was announced.
He then replied to another post from NBACentral, writing: “Not Centel?” – referencing the popular NBA parody account that has duped many X users.
He has since spoken about the possibility of a career in politics.
On his YouTube show, Smith said: “I doubt I’ll ever run. It’s not me.
“I live a pretty good life and I don’t want to ruin it by getting involved in politics.
“But I’ve got to tell y’all something: the Democratic Party looks so pathetic after this election, I might entertain running.
“I just might change my mind one day. I doubt it. But I might.
“Because how much would it take to beat ya’ll? And Trump can’t run again. He’s done.”
Stephen A. Smith’s journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
He then conducted an interview with ABC and said his only desire would be to get the top job, not act as a governor or senator.
“I have no desire to be a congressional figure or a senator,” Smith said.
“But if you came to me and you told me I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would definitely consider it.”
Smith has leaned left politically during his career, but during the 2024 presidential run he appeared on Fox News with conservative friend Sean Hannity.
He also praised Kamala Harris as “sensational” and revealed he voted for Harris over Trump, but also admitted he regretted it.
Smith said he felt the Democrat party acted undemocratically by not having a vote for Harris to be leader of the party.
Despite his seeming lack of interest in politics, an opinion piece in political magazine The Hill described him as a perfect candidate in a piece titled ‘Could Stephen A. Smith Save the Democratic Party?’
Former White House official Doug Mackinnon wrote: “If I were part of the Democratic Party brain trust in search of a winning presidential candidate, I might be seeking an ‘un-politician’ with a backstory that connects with ‘real America,’ has a massive platform; is independently wealthy and can tell the entrenched elites to stuff their special interests, has that all-elusive ‘It Factor;’ and is not afraid to trash talk or call out failure.
“Trump won two elections checking those boxes. If I were part of the Democratic brain trust, I would be reaching out to Stephen A. Smith.”
