You’ve seen the clips. Stephen A. Smith is leaning across a desk, voice rising, hands waving, telling some poor soul that their take on the Dallas Cowboys is "blasphemous." It’s his brand. But lately, the volume has shifted from the NBA Finals to the Oval Office. People are actually asking: is a Stephen A. Smith run for president a real thing, or just the ultimate "hot take" to drive up his podcast downloads?
Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
If you think this is just a joke, you haven't been paying attention to how American politics has morphed into a subset of entertainment. We live in an era where the line between a television studio and a campaign headquarters is basically invisible. Smith knows this. He’s not just a sports guy anymore; he’s a media mogul who spends as much time on Hannity or The View as he does on First Take.
The "Hell No" That Became a "Maybe"
For years, Stephen A. was the first to shut this down. He’d laugh it off. He would tell anyone who asked that he loved his life too much to deal with the "professional begging" of political fundraising. But something changed after the 2024 election cycle.
During an appearance on ABC’s The View in late 2024, Smith gave a response that stopped being a punchline. He told Sunny Hostin that while he has no desire to be a "congressional figure" or a senator, he’d consider the presidency under one specific condition: if he had a "legitimate shot to win."
He’s not interested in the grind of local politics. He doesn't want to sit in committee meetings about zoning laws. He wants the big stage. He basically told the world that if the American people looked at him and said, "Yo, man, we want you to run," he wouldn’t lie—he’d think about it.
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Why He Thinks He Can Win
Smith’s confidence isn't just bravado. It’s calculated. He looks at the current political landscape and sees a void. In his eyes, the Democratic Party is "leaderless" and "an absolute mess," and the Republicans are too often "haphazard."
- The Debate Stage: This is his home turf. Smith has openly stated that he would "eat them alive" on a debate stage. Think about it. For thirty years, this man has made a living out of thinking on his feet and arguing points under high pressure.
- The Independent Streak: He’s a registered independent. He’s been vocal about his frustrations with both sides, which resonates with a massive chunk of the electorate that feels "politically homeless."
- The Platform: With a $100 million ESPN contract and a massive YouTube following, he doesn't need the traditional media to get his message out. He is the media.
In April 2025, while speaking at the NAB Show, he doubled down. He mentioned that he’s been approached by elected officials and even billionaires talking about "exploratory committees." That’s the kind of talk that moves a story from "celebrity rumor" to "political reality."
The Logic of the "Un-Politician"
There is a real argument to be made that Smith is the ultimate "un-politician." He’s got the backstory—born in the Bronx, raised in Queens, the son of West Indian immigrants. He grew up poor. He’s been fired and had to claw his way back. That narrative sells.
But there’s a massive gap between being a "truth-teller" on a sports show and managing a federal budget. Critics point out that his "yelling" style, while great for morning TV, might alienate the very suburban voters you need to win a general election. Plus, there's the policy problem. What does Stephen A. Smith actually believe about the South China Sea? What's his plan for the solvency of Social Security?
He’s been somewhat vague on the "nitty-gritty" stuff. He tends to focus on "common sense" and "accountability." On Real Time with Bill Maher, he criticized the Democratic Party for "identity politics" and for not connecting with the broader electorate. He’s basically positioning himself as the guy who will say the things everyone else is too scared to say.
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Is This Just a Contract Ploy?
Let’s be real for a second. We have to look at the timing. Smith’s name started appearing in hypothetical 2028 polls right around the time he was negotiating his massive extension with ESPN.
By floating a Stephen A. Smith run for president, he increases his leverage. He becomes more than just a sports analyst; he becomes a national figure with "optionality." His agent, Mark Shapiro, has tried to quiet the rumors, saying he won't run. But Smith himself keeps the door ajar just enough for the draft to get in.
What This Says About Us
The fact that we are even having a serious conversation about this is wild. But it’s the world we live in. We’ve already seen a reality TV star win the White House. We’ve seen wrestlers and actors become governors.
If Smith actually jumps in, it won't be as a traditional candidate. It would be a "disruptor" campaign. He wouldn't be looking for the endorsement of party elites. He’d be looking for the endorsement of the guy at the barbershop or the woman at the grocery store who is tired of hearing the same canned talking points.
The Hurdles He Can't Shout Over
If he’s serious, 2026 is the year the "exploratory" talk has to turn into "logistical" action.
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- The Money: Running for president costs billions. Even with his ESPN salary, he’d need a massive fundraising apparatus.
- The Scrutiny: Once you run for office, every "hot take" from the last 30 years is fair game. Every controversial comment about athletes, every heated exchange—it all gets weaponized.
- The Job: You can't be the host of First Take and a presidential candidate at the same time. The FCC’s Equal Time rule would make that a nightmare for Disney and ESPN. He’d have to walk away from the $100 million.
Moving Beyond the Hype
So, where does this leave us? Is Stephen A. Smith running for president?
Right now, he’s in the "testing the waters" phase. He’s seeing how the public reacts to his political commentary. He’s building a resume of interviews with people like Hakeem Jeffries and Lindsey Graham to show he can play in that league.
If you want to track this, don't look at his sports takes. Watch his YouTube show. Look at who he’s interviewing. If he starts spending more time in Iowa and New Hampshire than at NBA arenas, then you know the "straight shooter" is aiming for the biggest target in the world.
Next Steps to Track the Rumors:
- Monitor The Stephen A. Smith Show: This is where he’s most unfiltered and where he tests his political messaging outside the ESPN "Disney" umbrella.
- Watch the 2026 Midterms: Smith has hinted that if the country is an "absolute mess" after the midterms, his interest will become much more serious.
- Check for FEC Filings: If an "exploratory committee" actually forms, it has to be registered. That’s the moment the talk becomes a campaign.
Whether he runs or not, Smith has already succeeded in one thing: he’s changed the conversation. He’s proven that in 2026, a loud voice and a massive platform might be just as valuable as a law degree and a decade in the Senate. Honestly, that’s the most "Stephen A." outcome possible.