Radio host Stephen A. Smith said he is not running for president in 2028 because he’s concerned that he would be “taken off the air.”
For the past year, Smith has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential candidate who could potentially challenge other contenders deeply embedded within the Democratic Party, like former Vice President Kamala Harris. He previously entertained the idea of running for president until now.
Recommended Stories
Speaking with Politico reporter Dasha Burns on her podcast, Smith rejected any speculation that he has his eyes set on the White House. He cited his radio career as the main reason why he wants to stay out of national politics.
“I was informed that by virtue of what I do for a living that the minute I announce that I’m running, I would be taken off the air,” the ESPN sports commentator and Sirius XM Radio personality said in a new episode of The Conversation released Thursday.
Smith said the Federal Communications Commission’s equal-time rule would prevent him from running for office unless he gave up his job, which he has no interest in doing.
“I wouldn’t be able to work, and I would lose a contract that I’ve worked my entire career for, you know, and I’m not giving that up,” the radio host said. “So my quality of life would be drastically compromised.”
“But if there was a way that I could continue my career while still campaigning, I wouldn’t hesitate to campaign,” he added.
In an ideal world, Smith said he would jump on the debate stage “in a heartbeat” to debate “these wannabe politicians who have done or have tried to do the damage that I believe has been drastically inflicted upon this country.” However, his heart rests with his career.
This is the clearest indication that Smith will not run for president in two years. Still, the celebrity believes he could win the presidency if he decided to run.
Smith’s case for hypothetically winning the presidency harkens back to President Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016, when he was widely known as a real estate developer, billionaire, and reality television host.
While the radio host has been critical of the Republican administration, Smith gave Trump credit for recognizing that “most voters believe our politics and our politicians are full of s***.”
“He speaks a language that the electorate, no matter who they are or what side of the aisle they are on, can relate to, even if they despise him,” the ESPN talent said.
Now that he has ruled out running in 2028, Smith named Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) as a serious contender for the Democratic Party’s presidential primary. He noted Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) would have trouble getting elected to the presidency because a black man already sat in the White House for two terms, referring to former President Barack Obama.
On the opposite side of the political aisle, Smith argued Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a much stronger candidate than Vice President JD Vance because the former is an “authentic individual.” Smith said Vance “tries to be too like Trump,” which could be to the vice president’s detriment in 2028.
MAMDANI SIGNED PETITION MARKING AOC AS ‘MOST VIABLE’ 2028 PRESIDENTIAL PICK
Meanwhile, Smith is not taking a potential presidential bid from former Fox News host Tucker Carlson seriously.
Asked by Burns if he thinks Carlson should run, Smith responded: “Hell no. I don’t think Tucker should run because I think that Tucker is an individual that leans a bit too far right for my liking.”
