If you haven’t yet warmed to the notion of Stephen A. Smith for president being anything more than inane banter, now might be the time to reconsider. While Smith is unlikely to be the next President of the United States—or even run in 2028 or 2032—the idea of him entering the Democratic presidential primary and potentially winning the nomination has moved beyond mere jest. This shift comes as Smith increasingly teases the possibility, leading many to urge him to take it seriously.
The New Yorker’s Jay Caspian Kang recently interviewed Smith, discussing his political interests. “They need to cleanse the Democratic Party as we know it,” Smith stated, criticizing the party for sticking to failed ideas. He compared this to the Republican Party’s unwavering support for Donald Trump over the last decade, saying, “The Democrats say, ‘It’s Hillary’s turn, now it’s Biden’s turn, now it’s Kamala Harris’s turn.’” Smith believes the succession of candidates has ignored voters’ calls to abandon certain outdated practices, claiming, “Woke culture and cancel culture ravaged the country. The Democrats were focused more on that than the economy, immigration, and crime.”
While Smith has long declared his intent to run as an Independent to avoid party influence, his critique of the Democratic Party suggests he may be warming up to the idea of joining their primary. After a recent primary poll indicated he was just one point behind former VP candidate Tim Walz and current Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, Smith confidently told Sean Hannity, “I can beat any Democratic candidate.” He articulated his self-perception, proclaiming, “I’m qualified to be a hell-raiser. I’m going to bring the rain. Nobody is safe with me. Not a Democrat. Not a Republican. No one.”
For the moment, Smith seems determined to channel his hell-raising tendencies through his YouTube show and frequent appearances on CNN, Fox News, NewsNation, and MSNBC. However, the clamoring for him to engage in politics more tangibly is growing louder. If Democratic leaders are complimenting Smith, and his own ambitions whisper that he can win, it may not be long before the notion of Stephen A. Smith for president transitions from speculation to reality.
