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ESPN star Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to bold takes, but his latest might be his biggest yet. The famous sports commentator says he’s seriously considering a run for the White House, though one major factor could stop him. And yes, it all comes down to one of the important factors running planet earth!
Stephen A. Smith for President: Is a 2028 Run Really Happening?
TMZ recently caught up with Smith at Kenny Smith’s All-Star Bash in Los Angeles, where he shared his frustration with the current state of leadership in the U.S. While he doesn’t want to be a politician, he’s drawn to the idea of debating elected officials and calling out decisions he sees as harmful to the country.
However, there’s a catch. Smith admitted that his financial comfort is a key factor:
“My money has to be tight. My quality of life needs to be straight… that can’t happen because I’d have to give it up in order to run.”
Reports also suggest Smith is taking real steps toward a 2028 campaign. Speaking with CBS national correspondent Robert Costa, he said he’s giving strong consideration to being on the debate stage for 2027 and running for the Democratic nomination.
Smith is taking time in 2026 to study the issues and understand the challenges, showing he’s serious about the idea even if a final decision isn’t coming until 2027.
Fans Have Mixed Reactions
Online reactions have been mixed, to say the least. On Reddit, some fans praised his charisma but questioned his qualifications: “He’s entertaining and a good troll but not qualified to be president,” one wrote.
Others were blunt, saying, “No he can stick to sports,” and “Oh, please don’t. No more TV personalities. I don’t care where they fall on the political spectrum. I want to see someone who’s actually qualified to run a country.”
Some found the idea amusing, with one user adding, “I think he’s a funny, charismatic guy… but no way he should run lmao.”
Whether it’s serious ambition or just conversation, Stephen A Smith has once again captured the public’s attention, this time on a much bigger stage than sports. So right now, he’s just thinking about it, not officially running. Only time will reveal if the famed TV personality will finally get to run for POTUS.
