Stephen A. Smith Blasts Trump While Mulling Presidential Campaign

Stephen A. Smith Teases 2028 Presidential Bid, Calls Trump a ‘Pain in the A’**

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith jokingly branded Donald Trump a “pain in the a*” during an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com* in New Orleans, while leaving the door open for his own potential presidential run in 2028. The fiery sports analyst, known for his bold takes, claimed he could “beat every candidate” if he entered politics and addressed a recent poll showing him outperforming several Democratic hopefuls.

Trump’s Return and Smith’s Political Ambitions
Smith didn’t hold back criticizing Trump’s early days back in the White House, calling him “a pain in the a**” but acknowledged agreeing with the president’s executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports. “I don’t believe people born male transitioning to female should be competing in women’s sports,” Smith said, though he emphasized protecting LGBTQ+ rights.

The ESPN host also questioned Trump’s reliance on Elon Musk, criticizing the billionaire’s informal role in accessing financial data. “I’m suspect about Elon Musk… giving him this kind of power [without confirmation]—I have a problem with that,” Smith said.

Photo 1: [Stephen A. Smith at a media event, caption: “Smith hinted at a presidential bid while criticizing Trump’s policies.”]

Poll Numbers and Confidence
A January poll by Trump-affiliated strategist John McLaughlin showed Smith with 2% support in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary—outpacing figures like Beto O’Rourke (1%) and tying Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. While Kamala Harris led with 33%, Smith insisted he’d defeat her and VP Tim Walz in a matchup.

“If the American people said, ‘We want you to run,’ and I had a legitimate shot… I’d entertain it,” Smith declared. “I’d beat all of them—Harris, Buttigieg, Walz. I really do believe that.”

Photo 2: [Graphic from McLaughlin poll, caption: “Smith edged out some Democrats in a 2028 hypothetical primary poll.”]

Money First, Politics Later
Smith clarified he’d only run if financially secure. “I’m not going to the White House broke. I need my money, my home… no concerns,” he said. For now, he aims to amplify his political commentary, comparing his potential influence to media heavyweights like Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow.

Photo 3: [Smith on Real Time with Bill Maher, caption: “Smith’s blunt takes on Trump and Harris have gone viral.”]

Regrets Over Harris Support
The analyst admitted feeling like a “damn fool” for backing Kamala Harris in 2024, citing her failed campaign against Trump. He doubled down on centrist values, advocating for compromise over partisan extremes: “Peace comes when everybody agrees to compromise.”

Photo 4: [Harris and Walz campaigning, caption: “Smith claims he could defeat Harris and Walz in a primary.”]

Looking Ahead
While Smith insists he’ll “still be doing sports” in 2028, his growing political footprint suggests a broader agenda. Whether as a pundit or candidate, his voice is poised to shape America’s future debates—and possibly ballots.

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