Overview

• During a NewsNation town hall, President Trump publicly stated he would 'love to see' Stephen A. Smith run for president in 2028, citing his intelligence and entertainment value.
• Smith, a prominent ESPN commentator, has recently shifted from rejecting the idea of running to 'leaving all doors open,' citing frustration with current political leadership.
• Trump's comments followed Smith's high-profile policy questions to the president, including challenges on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rollbacks during the town hall.
• Polling from Data For Progress shows Smith with the lowest net favorability among potential Democratic candidates, raising questions about his viability in a crowded field.
• Smith has been critical of the Democratic Party's current direction, calling for new leadership and suggesting figures like Governors Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore as potential alternatives.