Stephen A. Smith Blasts Democrats, Says It’s an Embarrassment That He’s Being Considered As a Candidate

At first, the idea of sports pundit Stephen A. Smith running for president might sound like a joke. But in today’s political climate? Maybe not so far-fetched.

With his commanding media presence, ability to captivate an audience, and a knack for saying exactly what’s on his mind, Smith already has many of the qualities that helped Donald Trump make the jump from TV personality to the White House. And with growing frustration toward career politicians, voters might just be looking for someone who breaks the mold—something Smith does effortlessly.

Right now, he says no. But his recent comments about the Democratic Party have fueled speculation, especially after a poll showed him at 2%—a surprising number for someone who hasn’t even hinted at running.

On a recent episode of Pod Save America, Smith took aim at Democrats’ tendency to pre-select candidates instead of letting voters decide:

“Y’all are too busy trying to pick candidates for the American people instead of listening to the American people tell you who they want.”

He went on to criticize how party insiders rallied behind Biden despite concerns about his age and ability to run a strong campaign. He argued that after Biden’s debate performance, Democrats should have acted immediately to find an alternative—rather than waiting weeks before settling on Kamala Harris as the nominee.

His point? The process felt forced, not organic.

Smith’s frustration isn’t just personal—it reflects a broader issue in American politics: voters are tired of establishment figures being handpicked rather than earning support through genuine connection.

This could spell trouble for Democrats in 2028. If the party keeps prioritizing insiders over outsider candidates who resonate with the public, they risk losing voters to a Republican challenger—or even a non-traditional candidate like Smith himself.

While a Stephen A. Smith presidential run still seems unlikely, his critique is a warning Democrats can’t ignore. If they don’t adapt—by listening to voters, encouraging open debates, and focusing on real concerns—they could find themselves outmatched by candidates willing to shake up the status quo.

One thing’s for sure: this won’t be the last time Stephen A. Smith’s name comes up in political conversations.