Stephen A. Smith rejects 2028 run for fear of being ‘taken off the air’

Published September 3, 2026 10:58am ET



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.

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