ESPN host Stephen A. Smith is no longer dismissing questions about a potential presidential run. In recent interviews, the longtime sports commentator said he is seriously considering a 2028 campaign.
Smith made the remarks during an interview with CBS News correspondent Robert Costa for CBS Sunday Morning, NJ.com reported.
He said while he enjoys his career in sports media, the state of politics has him reassessing his future.
“I will confess to you, I’m giving strong consideration to being on that debate stage for 2027,” Smith said. “I’ve got this year coming up — 2026 — to think about it, to study, to know the issues.”
The 58-year-old said conversations about a possible run extend beyond online speculation.
“I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill … people who are elected officials in office … people have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it,” Smith said during the CBS interview.
Smith has made clear he does not see himself as a traditional politician.
In a post on X earlier this month, he wrote, “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.”
He has framed his potential candidacy as a challenge to the political establishment rather than an effort to join it.
In a January interview with theGrio, Smith said, “I’m dead serious about wanting to go up against those politicians, not be a politician, but wanting to go up against them on a debate stage to call out what they have done to our country, to harm us.”
Smith has not formally declared a party affiliation.
He has suggested he would likely compete in the Democratic primary if he enters the race.
He has previously described himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
Smith has also expressed confidence about his chances.
During a past television appearance, he said, “I think I can beat them all,” when discussing potential 2028 contenders.
For now, Smith is emphasizing preparation over declaration.
He has repeatedly said 2026 will be a year of study and evaluation before making any final decision.
“I’ve got this year coming up — 2026 — to think about it, to study, to know the issues,” he reiterated in the CBS interview.
Smith has not filed any paperwork or made a formal announcement. But he is no longer brushing off the possibility. Whether he ultimately launches a campaign remains unclear.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign accounts were reactivated on Thursday on the social platforms X and TikTok as part of a new initiative to engage young voters in anticipation of the midterm elections.
The KamalaHQ account on X posted an enigmatic video on Wednesday showcasing attempts to access the account. The user attempts to log in using the passwords “waytooonline,” “thebabysitterisweird,” and “project2025wasreal,” all of which are incorrect.
The term “headquarters” is acknowledged prior to the screen turning black, at which point the word “Tomorrow” appears on the screen.
Harris collaborated with the progressive nonprofit People For the American Way to rebrand her social media accounts as Headquarters, characterized as a “youth mobilization organization” and a “next-generation campaigning” initiative, according to a statement acquired by NewsNation, The Hill’s affiliated network.
Headquarters’ goal is to “mobilize pro-fairness, pro-democracy young people against far-right extremism. The former vice president, who ran an unsuccessful bid against President Trump in 2024, will be the organization’s “chair emerita.”
“I have good news,” Harris said in a YouTube short video posted late Wednesday night. “So KamalaHQ is turning into Headquarters and it’s where you can go online to get basically the latest of what’s going on, and also to meet and revisit with some of our great, courageous leaders, be they elected leaders, community leaders, civic leaders, faith leaders, young leaders.”
“I’m really excited about it,” she continued.