Well, that’s a take.
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said Sunday that he might not have a choice but to run for president in 2028 if the Democrats fail to produce someone better.
The ESPN “First Take” host claimed that he’s been inundated with requests to contemplate a presidential run that he has to leave that option on the table.
“I have no choice because I’ve had elected officials, and I’m not going to give their names, elected officials coming up to me,” Smith told ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday.
“I’ve had folks that got a lot of money, billionaires and others that have talked to me about exploratory committees and things of that nature,” he added. “I’m not a politician. I’ve never had a desire to be a politician.”
Smith gained national prominence for his fiery hot takes on sports but, over recent years, has frequently waded into politics, criticizing President Trump and Democrats for losing to him.
Despite flirting with a 2028 bid, Smith admitted that he would like to see someone with the necessary experience step up.
“I would hope somebody else would step up that’s more qualified than me, but if it has to come down to me, it is something I would consider,” he added.
Last week, the sports host drew headlines for declaring that he will “no longer close the door” on a possible presidential run.
“Here’s the reality: People, literally people, have walked up to me, including my own pastor, for crying out loud, who has said to me, ‘You don’t know what God has planned for you,’” Smith claimed, adding that his pastor told him to respect “the people who believe” in him.
During the 2024 election, Smith voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris, though he later admitted to feeling like a “fool” because the ex-veep got the Dem nod without a primary.
Despite his fierce criticism of Democrats, Smith is not thrilled with Trump.
“I don’t like what I’m seeing, but I’m not surprised. I mean, this whole tariff war situation is utterly ridiculous,” he lamented. “He should have immediately targeted China and not every nation on the planet, for crying out loud.”
“There doesn’t appear to be a plan. Let’s be, let’s be very, very clear about that,” he added. “But in the end, you know, what you have to applaud them for is for trying something.”
Smith’s pet peeve with Democrats is that “they talk and they talk and they talk” but fail to achieve anything.
“It’s an indictment against a Democratic Party that doesn’t have leadership,” he argued. “It doesn’t have a vision.”
The 2028 race is shaping up to be the first presidential contest in about a decade without an incumbent running on either side of the aisle, creating a massive opening for Democrats and Republicans alike.
Trump has openly cast doubt on that, suggesting that he may pursue a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment forbidding him from running.
“If any Republican supports that, I don’t want to hear a word out of their mouth ever again about following the Constitution,” Smith chided.
“That’s what they’ve been living off for years. And then you’re talking about circumventing the 22nd Amendment, and you think that’s cool? No way.”
