Stephen A. Smith hasn’t officially declared anything, but talk of a possible 2028 run is already stirring reactions among NBA fans.
A post from Jon Root on X compiled clips of Smith on First Take, accusing him of race-baiting and labeling him untrustworthy if he were to seek higher office.
The caption read, “This man is a serial liar &grifter. I don’t trust anything he says about race. He’ll say whatever he can to get votes & garner attention for his inevitable presidential run.”
The post referenced Smith’s recent interview with CBS News’ Robert Costa, where he addressed whether racism would be a concern in a potential campaign.
“No. I do not believe it is as prevalent as some on the Left would like us to believe,” Smith said.
That answer alone split NBA fans down the middle.
@Silves21 wrote, “SAS is a hell of a lot better then AOC and Newscum. So you should be pushing for him. I’m with you SAS is a race-baiter but he’s not evil.”
SAS is a hell of a lot better then AOC and Newscum . So you should be pushing for him. I’m with you SAS is a race-baiter but he’s not evil
— silves (@Silves21) February 17, 2026
@RileyEatsGood countered, “He’s switching his tune quite conveniently now that he’s talking about running for president.”
@9kingofthenorth added, “Stephen A. would get his butt kicked and then claim it was racism? Because that is what all DEI candidates do.”
Smith has said he’s giving “strong consideration” to stepping onto debate stages in 2027, which only fuels speculation.
“Black people are not voting for you”: NBA fans question Stephen A Smith’s electability
During his CBS Sunday Morning appearance, Smith also touched on border control and policing.
“We wouldn’t have a border crisis under my watch. We ain’t defunding any police… There’s gon’ be more,” he said.
Firsttake 090922 Es04
Those remarks opened another wave of commentary from NBA fans.
@queenie4rmnola posted, “Black peoples are not voting for you. And white people too racist to vote for you. So where does that leave us.”
@BackiingAmerica wrote, “Hes a moderate democrat- majority of these same people simply voted republican this time around because the present democrats are far left socialist.”
@HiRezTheRapper added, “Bro always talks Republican then fence sits when it comes time to take a Republican stance.”
At this stage, there’s no official campaign — just headlines and hot takes. Still, NBA fans are already treating the idea like a real race, debating whether the outspoken analyst could translate sports media dominance into political traction.
