Stephen A. Smith Says He Has ‘No Want’ To Run For President — However Received’t Rule It Out

[ad_1] Sports activities commentator Stephen A. Smith says he has little interest in turning into a politician, however he's leaving open the potential of coming into the 2028 presidential race.

In an interview with CBS Information correspondent Robert Costa on CBS Sunday Morning, as reported by Deadline, the ESPN host addressed rising hypothesis about his political ambitions. “So when any individual talks about me being a president or no matter, I've no want to be a politician, zero. … I've no want to run for workplace,” Smith mentioned.

Regardless of that agency denial, Smith acknowledged he has not solely dismissed the concept of a marketing campaign. He advised Costa he's “not ruling it out as a result of I’d like to be on the talk levels in opposition to a few of these people that suppose they’re higher suited to run the nation. As a result of I believe that the American folks should hearken to and listen to from any individual who genuinely cares about making life higher for them as a substitute of your self.”

Smith confirmed that if he had been to mount a marketing campaign, it might be as a Democrat. He defined that whereas he considers himself financially conservative, his views on social points place him elsewhere on the political spectrum.

“I couldn’t see myself operating as a member of the GOP. I’m a fiscal conservative. I can’t stand excessive taxes, however I’m a social liberal in the identical breath as a result of I consider in dwelling and let reside,” Smith mentioned. “I take note of the desolate and disenfranchised … Sure, I like robust borders. That’s completely true. We by no means wanted open borders, however we don’t want it to be utterly closed both. We're a stunning mosaic.”

Smith has for months floated the concept of difficult institution politicians as an outsider candidate. Nonetheless, there stays a big distinction between entertaining the likelihood and formally launching a marketing campaign. Different high-profile figures — together with actor Dwayne Johnson and former Disney CEO Bob Iger — have publicly weighed political bids with out in the end operating.

After the interview aired, Costa mirrored on social media about Smith’s evolving stance. “Stephen A. Smith is shifting nearer to a 2028 marketing campaign … spending just a few days with him in current months jogged my memory of spending just a few days with Trump again in 2013-2014. Many laughed on the prospect of a bid. However in an age of superstar and social media…” Costa wrote on X.

Stephen A. Smith is shifting nearer to a 2028 marketing campaign… spending just a few days with him in current months jogged my memory of spending just a few days with Trump again in 2013-2014. Many laughed on the prospect of a bid. However in an age of superstar and social media… https://t.co/VrTmJUWtsB

— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 13, 2026

For now, Smith continues his function as considered one of sports activities media’s most distinguished voices — whereas protecting the door to politics barely ajar.