Nationwide — Stephen A. Smith is now seriously entertaining the idea of a presidential run—less than a month after firmly rejecting the notion. In a post shared April 7 on X, the outspoken ESPN host signaled a shift in tone, 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.”
According to a January 27 poll conducted by Republican firm McLaughlin & Associates, Smith earned 2% support among Democratic primary voters—placing him in the same polling tier as several current elected officials. While Vice President Kamala Harris led the pack at 33%, Smith tied or came close to names like Pete Buttigieg (9%), Gavin Newsom (7%), and Cory Booker (2%), suggesting his national profile is not to be underestimated.
Speaking during the NAB Show in Las Vegas on Monday, Smith said, “I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it.” He revealed that several governors, mayors, and Capitol Hill insiders have reached out to him, encouraging a possible run. Despite his hesitance to enter the political fray, Smith admitted that the country’s current state has forced him to rethink his stance.
Smith emphasized that he’s still not eager to become a politician, but warned that if the country doesn’t improve by the 2026 midterms, “all bets are off.” His comments underscore a growing frustration with the status quo—and a belief that bold, unconventional voices may be what’s needed to disrupt it.
While skeptics may scoff at the idea, Smith’s 2% showing echoes early polling of Donald Trump before his 2016 upset. Back then, Trump also started at 2%, trailing behind party favorites like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. Smith’s blend of name recognition, media savvy, and unfiltered commentary could make him a compelling wildcard in the years ahead.