Sports journalist Stephen A. Smith pushed back against the idea of seeking the White House in 2028, citing other endeavors and “a lot of things” he is pursuing instead.
Speculation over Smith running for president in 2028 has grown as the Trump administration nears its first 100 days in office. Smith said Sunday that he has “no choice” but to leave the door open to the possibility. However, on Tuesday, he pumped the brakes on this notion, saying there is “zero” chance people would see him attending church on Easter Sunday and proclaiming, “I love America, I love Jesus.”
“I have NBA duties for ESPN, my day job, which I happen to love very, very much, by the way,” Smith said on NewsNation’s Cuomo. “The NBA playoffs are about to begin. I have obligations, but I am always happy when America’s happy. That much I will tell you. Anytime I could put a smile on people’s faces is something I’m happy to do.”
Smith said talks about his possible run for office have “only gotten serious” to the point where people are encouraging him to “leave the door open.” He reiterated that he is “very, very happy” with his current job on ESPN and that there is “no reason” for him to work as a politician.
However, he said the political landscape for the Democratic Party is “very, very bad” and that “you’re just praying” the party will find a candidate who can properly counter President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. He said he knows of people in the Democratic Party “who are incredibly gifted,” but “people are not resonating on a national level.”
“And because it’s a no, you’re desperate for somebody to step up and take the bull by the horn, so God forbid somebody like me doesn’t have to,” Smith said.
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The Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito said Smith’s not giving a definite answer on his potential 2028 run mirrored Trump’s discontent with the Republican Party, which led him to announce his bid for the White House in 2015. She also said Smith is likely “hinting at” how the Democratic Party’s current strategy is “not working” in gaining supporters.
While a definitive name for the Democratic Party’s next presidential candidate has not emerged since 2024, commentator Tucker Carlson and former Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said Vice President JD Vance is the likely successor to Trump and his agenda in 2028.