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ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith says he's now open to running for president after previously dismissing the idea.
On Monday (April 7), Smith took to X, formerly Twitter, to share that he's weighing a 2028 presidential run.
"Time to stop messing around. Life is great. Especially at ESPN/Disney," Smith wrote. "Hate the thought of being a politician. But sick of this mess. So I’m officially leaving all doors open."
Smith's comments come after he publicly dismissed the idea of making a bid for the White House. In March, the "First Take" host said he didn't "give a damn about the office," adding that he preferred to debate political leaders rather than becoming one himself.
Earlier this year, a poll by McLaughlin & Associates, a popular Republican pollsters, indicated that Smith was in striking distance of other Democratic stars as a possible party nominee. When participants were asked who they would prefer as the Democratic nominee for president, 2 percent said Smith, which was in the same ballpark of Pennslyvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.
Smith's comments also come amid calls for a shakeup in the Democratic Party after Donald Trump decidedly won the White House in November.
"Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it," Smith said Monday in an interview during the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
"I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it."
While he's reluctant to "be a politician," Smith said if the country remains "an absolute mess" after the 2026 midterms, he will consider running.
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