![Stephen A. Smith Says He Is “Dead Serious” About a 2028 Presidential Run After Talks With Trusted Advisers [Video]](https://balleralert.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2202142584-scaled-1.jpg "Stephen A. Smith Says He Is “Dead Serious” About a 2028 Presidential Run After Talks With Trusted Advisers [Video] - Baller Alert")
The transition from celebrity to Commander-in-Chief is no longer a wild theory in American politics, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith might be next up.
In a recent sit-down with CBS Sunday Morning, the “First Take” icon addressed the growing chatter about a 2028 presidential bid. While he was quick to say he isn’t hunting for a career change, he made it clear that he’s keeping his options open for the next election cycle.
Despite the headlines, Smith insists his motivation isn’t a personal craving for power. “So when somebody talks about me being a president or whatever, I have no desire to be a politician, zero. … I have no desire to run for office,” Smith told CBS reporter Robert Costa. However, he admitted the appeal lies in the challenge. “I’d love to be on the debate stages against some of these individuals that think they’re better suited to run the country. Because I think that the American people deserve to listen to and hear from somebody who genuinely cares about making life better for them instead of yourself.”
Smith’s platform doesn’t fit into a traditional box, though he noted he would likely seek the Democratic nomination. Describing his ideology as a mix of both sides, he explained that he couldn’t see himself as a member of the GOP. “I’m a fiscal conservative. I can’t stand high taxes, but I’m a social liberal in the same breath because I believe in living and let live,” Smith said. He also touched on hot-button issues like immigration, stating, “Yes, I like strong borders. That’s absolutely true. We never needed open borders, but we don’t need it to be completely closed either. We are a gorgeous mosaic.”
The veteran analyst isn’t rushing into a decision, noting that he plans to use 2026 as a “study year” to dive deep into the issues. After the interview, Costa noted that spending time with Smith felt reminiscent of early 2013-2014, when many people laughed at the idea of other non-politicians running for office. Whether Smith decides to trade the sports desk for a campaign bus remains to be seen, but he is clearly focused on the “desolate and disenfranchised” who feel ignored by the current establishment.
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