Could Stephen A. Smith be the one to challenge Donald Trump in 2028? He says he’s “leaving all doors open”

Okay, we’ve officially entered the crossover episode of politics and sports that nobody saw coming. Stephen A. Smith—the ESPN legend known for his fiery takes and viral rants—is now floating the idea of running for President in 2028. Yes, seriously. In a post that lit up social media, he said he’s “sick of this mess” and ready to “leave all doors open.” And believe it or not, some early polls already have him as a potential Democratic contender. Let’s unpack what’s going on.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Smith shocked fans by writing:
“Time to stop messing around. Life is great. Especially at ESPN/Disney. Hate the thought of being a politician. But sick of this mess. So I’m officially leaving all doors open”

This wasn’t just a random thought, either. He made similar comments during the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas. Speaking on a panel, Smith shared that he's been approached by governors, mayors, and other officials about the possibility of running for office—and that, while he's not jumping in yet, he's now seriously considering it.

It might sound like a gag, but Smith's name has started appearing in early Democratic primary polling. With uncertainty around Joe Biden’s future and the party’s leadership bench looking a little thin, Stephen A.—a household name with a massive media platform—is suddenly being looked at as a real possibility.
According to The Guardian, some political strategists believe his raw honesty and cultural credibility could appeal to younger and disillusioned voters.

At the NAB panel, Smith didn’t name names but confirmed that:
“I’ve had governors, mayors, other politicians reach out to me and say, ‘Why don’t you think about doing something like that?’”
His main hesitation? He still doesn’t like the idea of becoming a politician. But the sheer dysfunction in Washington, as he sees it, might outweigh his distaste for the political machine. “I’m not running yet,” he told the audience, “but I’m not ruling it out.”

Here’s the twist—just back in February, Smith told TMZ Sports:
“I ain't trying to run for office or anything like that.”
At the time, he was clear that he preferred talking about politics, not diving into the madness himself. But fast-forward to spring, and the political climate pushed him far enough to reconsider. That’s a pretty big pivot.
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Stephen A. Smith isn’t launching a campaign—at least not yet. But in a political era dominated by unexpected candidates, his message hit a nerve. He’s frustrated, he’s vocal, and he’s visible. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to make headlines—and stir the pot.