Outspoken sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is once again stirring political chatter, this time addressing rumors that he could mount a bid for the White House in 2028. But if he does, he made one thing crystal clear: he has no intention of sacrificing his reported $40 million-a-year income to do it.
During a Thursday appearance on “The Rubin Report” podcast with host Dave Rubin, Smith was asked directly whether he was seriously considering a presidential run or simply making a “media play” to test the waters.
Smith’s answer was vintage Stephen A.
“I’m telling you, if there was a way for me to be on that big debate stage and I didn’t have to give up my money to be on that debate stage, my brother, you look out,” he said.
When Rubin pressed him further, Smith doubled down. “What I’m saying, Mr. Rubin, is this: Come up with a way for me to keep my money,” he exclaimed. “And I’m like, ‘I’ll show up!’”
Smith, who has reportedly floated the idea of running for president for several months, has grown increasingly vocal about politics, often weighing in on the sharp divisions between Democrats and Republicans. In November, he told The Hill that he was not ruling out a run and reiterated that stance in subsequent interviews, including the latest conversation with Rubin.
While he hasn’t formally declared anything, Smith has been clear about how he sees himself politically. He describes himself as socially liberal but fiscally conservative and said he would run as a Democrat.
“Well, first of all, I’ve never considered myself conservative when it came to social issues, anything outside of fiscal issues,” Smith said when asked why he would align with Democrats. “I’ve always considered myself a liberal.”
On abortion, Smith said he is personally against it but supports abortion rights because he does not “believe in telling a woman what to do with her body.” He also voiced support for the LGBTQ community. At the same time, he emphasized that free-market capitalism and national security are issues that “matter” to him — a combination that sets him apart from some voices on the modern left.
Smith’s recent comments also included sharp criticism of Democrats’ approach to President Trump. On Wednesday, he argued that Trump “played” Democrats “like a fiddle” during the president’s State of the Union address, particularly on the issue of immigration.
According to Smith, Democrats’ intense dislike of Trump has clouded their judgment. He accused them of allowing their “own personal feelings and animus” toward the president to drive their reactions.
“And every time you do that, he smiles and mocks you and has a field day,” Smith said.
For now, Smith appears content with his lucrative career in sports media. But his continued flirtation with a 2028 run — paired with his insistence that he won’t give up his fortune — ensures that speculation isn’t going away anytime soon. Whether it’s political theater or a genuine trial balloon, Smith has once again put himself squarely in the national conversation.
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