ESPN’s fiery host Stephen A. Smith just dropped a bombshell—and yes, it’s political. The man known for his bold sports takes is now putting the political world on notice, hinting at a possible run in the 2028 Democratic primary. In a moment that had social media spinning, Smith made it loud and clear: he’s “serious” and “leaving all doors open” for a future in politics.
As we previously reported on Hollywood Unlocked’s coverage of Stephen A. Smith’s political comments, this shift has been building for a minute now. Smith has been sliding into more political commentary since the last election, and folks have been paying attention.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Smith linked to an article and boldly declared: “Time to stop messing around. Life is great. Especially at ESPN/Disney. Hate the thought of being a politician. But sick of this mess. So I’m officially leaving all doors open.”
That statement alone had people talking, but Smith didn’t stop there.
Stephen A. Smith Says He’s Getting “More Serious” About Running for Office
In a recent conversation with McVay Media President Mike McVay, Smith shared even more insight into where his head’s at. Though he confessed he’s “living a pretty good life” and doesn’t really see himself as a politician, the current state of the country is pushing him to reconsider.
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it,” Smith admitted.
He didn’t just pull that out of thin air. According to Smith, he’s been approached by real players in the political game—Capitol Hill insiders, elected officials, even governors and mayors. The idea of him running ain’t just some Twitter fantasy. People with serious clout are asking him to step up.
“I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you,” he added.
Smith Says He’s “No Longer Going to Close That Door” on a Presidential Bid
Smith got real candid when discussing the possibility of throwing his hat into the ring. It’s not just a hypothetical anymore—he’s openly entertaining the thought.
“If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe … that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States, I am not going to rule it out,” Smith stated.
This kind of talk is coming from a man who just locked in a jaw-dropping $100 million contract with ESPN. He’s got the money, the platform, and now—maybe—the ambition to take things to a whole new level.
Stephen A. Smith Critiques the Democratic Party While Calling Out Trump
Let’s not get it twisted—Smith hasn’t been shy about calling out both sides of the aisle. He’s slammed Donald Trump more than once, but he’s also been highly critical of the Democrats. According to Smith, they’ve been dropping the ball just as much.
He once said the Democrats “suck” and that kind of brutal honesty might just be what some voters are looking for. While political insiders may not know what to make of Smith’s raw delivery, everyday folks seem to be vibing with the idea of someone who keeps it 100.
It ain’t just talk either. His name’s been floated in some surprising places, including a GOP-leaning Rasmussen poll that showed him neck-and-neck with major Democratic players.