Stephen A. Smith on running for president in 2028: “I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it”

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has increasingly moved into the world of politics and says he is not ruling out a run for president in 2028.

Smith began to talk more seriously about getting involved in politics after the election. In March, he was interviewed by Pod Save America’s Tommy Vietor, where he said that he had no interest in running for office, but said that if he felt that he could garner enough support to win, he would not rule it out.

On Monday, April 7, Smith was interviewed at the NAB Show in Las Vegas and was asked about his movement towards politics. Though he said he had “no desire” to enter politics, Barret Media reported that his stance is softening based on his comments. Given the state of politics and what he sees as a Democratic party with very little national profile, he feels he has “had no choice but to get more serious about” running for office. Smith also said he has been asked and encouraged by leaders on Capitol Hill, as well as governors and elected officials at the local level as well.

Smith’s political perspective can be generally described as centrist. He says he likes both liberal and conservative policies, and though he may have the charisma to attack an audience, he may fail to craft a political agenda that entices voters who feel that the system does not work for them.

An announcement is unlikely to come soon

Those ready to jump on the Smith for President bandwagon may need to wait a while. Smith said that he wants to wait to see how the dynamics at the national level shift, and would likely announce any intention to run in late 2026 (after or in early 2027, after the midterm elections. Smith said if, at that point, he looked around and the country was still a “mess,” he would consider a run for president and was not ruling out the possibility.

Smith and Mark Cuban discuss the state of the Democratic party

Smith interviewed billionaire Mark Cuban on his podcast and spoke about the failures of the Democratic party and his “disgust” with their strategy in the last election, which he believes focused too much on “identity politics.” The interview provides insights into where he sees the Democratic party and where they have the potential to increase support as concern grows about the future of the economy, given the White House’s sweeping tariffs on some of the country’s most important trading partners.

“I felt that they got caught up in identity politics,” said Smith. In spending so much time talking about identity politics, the pair failed to discuss what an economic agenda that takes seriously the pain many households are feeling would look like.

The only talking points that emerged in this section of the interview were about how the Democrats could reach out to voters in red states affected by Elon Musk’s department of government efficiency. With thousands of workers being laid off and programs being cut, Cuban particularly believes there is a real opportunity to bring these people into the Democratic coalition.

Smith also reiterated his worry that though he sees plenty of talent at the state and local level, he does not see any major figures within the Democratic party that have a national profile that would help them in a general election.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.