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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ‘Moving Closer’ Toward Presidential Bid As Democratic Candidate
ByMike Stunson,Forbes Staff.
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Feb 13, 2026, 01:34pm EST
Topline
Stephen A. Smith, the fiery and often polarizing ESPN commentator, is eyeing a presidential run as a Democratic candidate ahead of the 2028 election, he told CBS.
Stephen A. Smith is eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run as a Democratic nominee.
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Key Facts
CBS’ Robert Costa, who interviewed Smith for an upcoming segment on “CBS Sunday Morning,” wrote on X Friday that Smith is “moving closer to a 2028 campaign,” which the ESPN personality has teased for months.Smith considers himself a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, according to the interview watched by Deadline, and he told Costa he does not wish to be a politician, but is “not ruling it out because I’d love to be on the debate stages against some of these individuals that think they’re better suited to run the country.”
Costa said interviewing Smith reminded him of spending time with Trump in 2013 and 2014, when many people scoffed at the notion of the real estate developer and TV personality becoming president.
Crucial Quote
"I will confess to you, I'm giving strong consideration to being on that debate stage for 2027," Smith told Costa, the CBS News reporter wrote on X. "I've got this year coming up 2026, to think about it, to study, to know the issues."Smith’s Controversies
Smith has faced several controversies during his long ESPN career, largely tied to his on-air commentary about sensitive issues and high-profile athletes. In 2014, he was suspended for one week after suggesting during a discussion of NFL running back Ray Rice's domestic violence case that women should avoid actions that might "provoke" assaults, remarks that drew widespread backlash and prompted an apology. Smith was also criticized for comments about tennis superstar Serena Williams following her emotional exchange with an umpire during the 2018 U.S. Open final, when Williams accused him the umpire of sexism after being penalized. Smith said Williams was "wrong" in how she handled the situation and argued that invoking sexism detracted from discussions of gender equity in sports, comments that viewers said minimized Williams' concerns. He has had public feuds with several prominent athletes, such as LeBron James, after the ESPN commentator criticized his son, Bronny James. It prompted a courtside confrontation between the two and both men trading barbs in interviews and on social media.This is a developing story and will be updated.
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