# Stephen A. Smith says Dems are 'lost,' hints he is seriously considering presidential run

Smith's response to speculation that he may be running in 2028 drew an 'Oh my God!' from 'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Kimmel
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Published March 6, 2025 1:05pm EST

    



Stephen A. Smith said that the Democratic Party is 'lost' and hinted that he is serious about running for president in 2028 on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Wednesday.



ESPN host Stephen A. Smith hinted that he may consider running for president in 2028 while appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" Tuesday night. (Screenshot/NBC)

Smith initially responded with a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying, "Folks are nuts, number one," but continued by giving a more serious rundown of the current state of the Democratic Party.

Fallon began the interview by noting how much media attention Smith has been getting for his potential 2028 presidential bid, even showing a list of headlines covering his potential candidacy.

After reading off a few of the headlines, Fallon asked Smith, "I mean, what’s going on? What does this mean?"





Stephen A. Smith has been making headlines in recent months for criticizing the Democratic Party over its messaging and electoral losses. (Screenshot/ABC)

Smith initially responded with a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying, "Folks are nuts, number one," but continued by giving a more serious rundown of the current state of the Democratic Party.

"I watch these things. I watch these things," claimed Smith.

While the sports broadcaster claimed that he "doesn't want" the position, he then made a comment that seemed to strongly hint at the reality of a .





Stephen A Smith has been making headlines in recent months for criticizing the Democratic Party over its messaging and electoral losses. (Aspen Institute YouTube channel)

"And I’m saying, ‘Wait a minute now. I don’t want to do this.’ But the fact that they’re talking about me this way, I must say, I approve this message."

The "I approve this message" comment clearly didn't get by Fallon, who exclaimed, "Oh my God!" in response.

While the press has seemed generally excited over the prospect of Smith running in 2028, one veteran Democratic strategist .

James Carville has been an outspoken critic of Smith's presidential aspirations, saying when it comes to politics, he doesn't "know his a-- from a hole in the ground."

"You do know that you are talking to a voter right? Could that be one of the reasons y’all lost? Just a thought." Smith said.





Stephen A. Smith and Democratic strategist James Carville have been going back and forth with one another over disagreements on how the Democratic Party should move forward after a crushing loss in 2024. (Aspen Institute YouTube channel)

Smith responded to Carville's harsh criticisms on his own podcast, questioning whether this attitude is part of the reason why Democrats have been struggling to connect with everyday Americans.

"I religiously say I am no political aficionado. I religiously say I don’t know politics like that. I read, I watch the news, I am a conscientious observer. But I do have to ask you a question, Mr. James Carville, albeit rhetorically. You do know that you are talking to a voter right? Could that be one of the reasons y’all lost? Just a thought." Smith said.

He continued, "Because you sound like one of those old curmudgeons that want things to be the way that they used to be. And you are resentful, harboring an abundance of animosity because you are not being heard. That is not Stephen A. Smith’s fault, sir. That’s that damn Democratic Party that I was talking about."
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