Stephen A. Smith, the well-known ESPN commentator, has found himself at the center of unexpected political speculation.
In recent months, Smith has been floated as a possible presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, a development that even he seems to find amusing.
The discussion about Smith’s political potential gained traction after a national survey showed that he would receive significant support in a hypothetical 2028 presidential election.
Despite repeatedly stating that he has no personal ambition to run,
Smith has kept the door slightly ajar, admitting that if the American people pushed for it, he might consider stepping into the political arena.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Smith addressed his sudden emergence as a candidate.
When Fallon asked why people were viewing him as a viable option, Smith humorously responded, “Folks are nuts, number one.” He then elaborated on what he sees as a key issue within the Democratic Party: the lack of a strong national voice.
According to Smith, while there are many qualified Democrats at local levels—such as governors and mayors—there is no clear, dominant figure leading the party on a national scale. This, he believes, has left a void that people are attempting to fill with unexpected names, including his own.
Smith’s commentary reflects a broader concern within the Democratic Party. Recent political setbacks have led to discussions about who could emerge as a new leader to rally voters. While Smith insists he is not actively seeking a political career, he has acknowledged the rising interest in his potential candidacy. “I did not ask for this. I do not want this. I happen to have a very, very, very good life, very good job… I’m good. Very good,” he stated.
Despite his reluctance, Smith has been keeping an eye on political polls, revealing that his support has grown to around 7.6 percent. “I don’t want to do this, but the fact that they’re talking about me this way, I must say… I approve this message,” he joked.
Smith’s political musings continued on The View, where he participated in a lively discussion with panelists Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar. In a particularly heated exchange, he criticized Democrats who dismiss Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory as lacking a mandate. Smith urged the party to acknowledge Trump’s political strength and adapt accordingly, warning that continuing with the same strategy would likely lead to more losses.
“The problem is if you’re the Democratic Party and you lost 49.8 percent to 48.3 percent, and you’re looking at that 1.5 percent difference, that’s an excuse for you to say: ‘What we did really wasn’t that bad. We should continue to do that.’ No, find a new strategy,” he argued.
While Smith made it clear that he is “no supporter of Trump,” he emphasized that Democrats need a more effective approach to counter him. He pointed to moments such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House, during which Trump and Senator JD Vance engaged in a heated discussion, as examples of political optics that may shape voter sentiment.
Another key point Smith highlighted was the shifting support among Black and Latino voters. He suggested that some within these communities may come to regret voting for Trump, but also stressed that many Americans weren’t necessarily voting for Trump as much as they were voting against the Democratic Party’s recent direction.
Smith’s sharp political commentary and rising popularity in polls have sparked continued speculation about his future. While he maintains that he has no personal interest in running for president, his increasing influence in political discourse suggests that the conversation around his potential candidacy is far from over. Whether he ultimately throws his hat in the ring or remains a sports media powerhouse, Smith has undoubtedly made his mark on the political landscape, intentionally or not.
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