Stephen A. Smith, known for his fiery takes in the world of sports, just dropped his strongest hint yet that he might be willing to trade ESPN for the campaign trail.
Appearing on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, the outspoken broadcaster said he’s “leaving the door open” to a run for the White House in 2028 — and he’s already taking aim at possible rivals.
Frustration with the Democratic Field
Smith didn’t sugarcoat his frustration with the current state of the Democratic Party.
“I can’t imagine myself doing it, but I haven’t ruled it out because I’m disgusted with what I’m seeing on the left,” he said, adding that he sees no strong national voice ready to carry the party forward.
In his blunt assessment, “a damn construction worker could win the Democratic nomination right now” because, in his view, the party is in disarray and lacking leadership.
Bill Maher’s Encouragement
Bill Maher, a liberal who often criticizes Democrats, agreed with Smith’s tough assessment and suggested his candidacy could be just what the party needs. “They need somebody who has nothing to lose,” Maher said.
“If people like what you say, great. If they don’t, you can just go back to ESPN.”
Targeting Pete Buttigieg’s Weak Spot
Later in the show, Smith turned his attention to Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary who has been polling well with Democratic primary voters.
But as Maher pointed out, an Emerson College poll from June showed Buttigieg had zero percent support among Black voters, despite leading the overall field with 16 percent.
Smith’s response was cutting: “He doesn’t move us,” he said, pausing for dramatic effect.
While he praised Buttigieg as “highly intelligent” and “very nice,” Smith insisted that inspiring Black voters is essential — and that Buttigieg hasn’t managed to do it.
Why Black Voter Support Matters
Black voters have historically been a decisive force in Democratic primaries, backing Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 — both of whom went on to secure the nomination.
By contrast, their tepid support hurt Bernie Sanders in both races. If Buttigieg can’t win over this critical demographic, it could spell trouble for his chances in 2028.
The Early 2028 Field Is Crowded
That same poll showing Buttigieg in the lead also had Kamala Harris close behind at 13 percent, followed by California Governor Gavin Newsom at 12 percent.
Harris, who recently chose not to run for governor in California, is widely believed to be positioning herself for another presidential bid.
Other names being floated include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — who could also challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2028 — as well as Governors JB Pritzker of Illinois, Wes Moore of Maryland, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
Many of them have already made visits to early primary states, a telltale sign of serious presidential ambitions.
The Leadership Void
Even former President Barack Obama has voiced concerns about the lack of a clear Democratic leader heading into the next election cycle.
With multiple contenders circling and no obvious front-runner, Smith’s musings about a run come at a time when the party might be more open than ever to an outsider with name recognition — even one better known for sports commentary than political speeches.