Stephen A. Smith Floats 2028 Presidential Run, Says He’s ‘Giving Strong Consideration’ to Debate Stage
Broadcaster and commentator Stephen A. Smith told viewers he is seriously considering a run for the presidency in 2028, saying he will use 2026 to study issues and decide whether to enter the Democratic primary debate stage. Smith reiterated that he has no desire to be a politician but would not rule out a campaign.
What he said in the interview
In a televised interview airing Feb. 15 (ET), Smith acknowledged he is weighing the possibility of seeking the Democratic nomination. "I will confess to you, I'm giving strong consideration to being on that debate stage for 2027, " he said, adding, "I've got this year coming up 2026, to think about it, to study, to know the issues. " He also noted he has "no desire" to be a politician, framing his interest as pragmatic and exploratory rather than a long-standing political ambition.
Back-and-forth on running and public posture
This is the latest in a series of public shifts on Smith's part. Over the past year he has alternately dismissed and entertained the idea of a formal campaign. He previously declared he was "leaving all doors open, " while at other times insisting the day-to-day life of an elected official is not what he wants. That vacillation highlights a tension between his status as a high-profile media figure and the realities of mounting a national political bid.
His critique of Democratic leadership
Smith has also been outspoken about the state of the Democratic Party. He described Democrats as appearing "very, very bad right now because they look leaderless, " and posed rhetorical questions about who the party's definitive national voice is. He singled out several prominent figures as respected on Capitol Hill but argued none functions as a unifying, reliable national leader. That assessment underpins his rationale for considering a run: he believes the party lacks a clear standard-bearer ahead of the next cycle.
Political reaction and potential obstacles
The prospect of a media personality jumping into a presidential primary raises predictable questions. Past polling suggested a long climb would be required to translate fame into broad electoral support beyond core fans of his commentary. Smith's own admissions about not wanting to be a politician could become an obstacle in convincing voters of his long-term commitment to public office. He would also need to build a campaign infrastructure, fundraising network and policy apparatus from scratch if he moved from consideration to announcement.
Outside voices and the road ahead
Some public figures have expressed enthusiasm for the idea of Smith running, praising his communication skills and national visibility. Those endorsements — and the attention they bring — could help a campaign with name recognition, but they do not substitute for the organizational and financial demands of a serious White House bid. Smith said he will take 2026 to study the issues and evaluate whether he can bridge the gap between celebrity and viable candidate.
What to watch in 2026
Key signals to watch include whether Smith scales back media commitments, begins meeting with advisers and policy experts, or launches exploratory fundraising efforts. Public appearances where he addresses policy specifics rather than commentary could indicate a more concrete shift. For now, Smith remains in the deliberative stage: vocal about the party's weaknesses, open to the idea of serving, but not yet ready to commit to the long march of a presidential campaign.
