Donald Trump wants Stephen A. Smith in the White House, says he’d ‘love it’ and thinks he has a real shot

President Donald Trump has openly expressed his support for ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith potentially launching a 2028 presidential campaign. The surprising endorsement came during a NewsNation town hall hosted by Chris Cuomo, marking Trump’s first 100 days into his second term, where he was joined by commentators Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith himself.

Though best known for his no-holds-barred sports commentary, Stephen A. Smith has been increasingly vocal about the state of American politics. What began as speculation earlier this year has now evolved into a more serious contemplation of a run for the highest office in the land. “Hate the thought of being a politician. But sick of this mess,” Smith wrote on X. “So I’m officially leaving all doors open.”
During the town hall, O’Reilly jokingly asked Trump whether he had any political advice for Smith. Trump, however, sidestepped giving guidance and instead praised the sports commentator’s charisma and intelligence. “He’s a good guy. He’s a smart guy,” Trump said. “I love watching him. He’s got great entertainment skills, which is very important. People watch him.”

Applause erupted from the audience when Trump added, “I’ve been pretty good at picking people and picking candidates, and I will tell you, I’d love to see him run.”
Smith, visibly taken aback by the moment, reacted with a blend of amusement and modesty, burying his face in his hands. While the idea of a sports commentator throwing his hat into the political arena might sound far-fetched, Smith hasn’t been shy about his confidence. Back in March, he boldly claimed, “I think I can beat them all,” referring to other potential Democratic candidates like Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Gretchen Whitmer.
Smith has justified his political ambitions by citing the encouragement he's received from various sectors, including elected officials, pundits, billionaires, and even his pastor. In a recent interview with ABC News’ This Week, Smith explained how the collective disappointment in current leadership had motivated him to consider taking action.
While Smith has been critical of Trump—especially his handling of tariff policies—he hasn’t denied that boldness and initiative are qualities he respects. “This whole tariff war situation is utterly ridiculous,” he said, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of coherent strategy. “It seems to be a bit very haphazard… But in the end, you know, what you have to applaud them for is for trying something.”
Whether Stephen A. Smith ultimately chooses to pursue a presidential bid remains to be seen. But with endorsements as unexpected and high-profile as Trump’s, the line between sports and politics continues to blur—and America is definitely watching.
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