Pastor Tells Media Star To Run For The White House
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is reportedly contemplating a potential bid for the presidency in 2028, motivated by advice from his pastor and others suggesting that “you don’t know what God has planned for you.” In an interview on ABC’s This Week, Smith discussed the possibility of running as a Democratic candidate, sharing his thoughts on the current state of the Democratic Party, Donald Trump’s presidency, and the direction of U.S. politics.
When asked directly about the idea of running for president, Smith, who recently signed a $100 million contract with ESPN, responded, “I have no choice.” He mentioned that encouragement from political figures, commentators, donors, and his pastor has made him seriously consider entering politics, despite his satisfaction with his current role in sports media. Smith quoted his pastor, who urged him to “leave the door open for any possibilities” in the future, particularly for those who believe in his ability to make a difference in the country.
Although Smith did not specifically name his pastor, he has previously spoken about Pastor A.R. Bernard of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, serving as his “spiritual father.” Smith also acknowledged in past interviews that Bernard often reminds him to be more consistent in attending church services. In the This Week interview, Smith also pointed out that there are other Democrats, like Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who he feels are more qualified than him to run for president.
Smith shared his discontent with both the Democratic Party and the Trump administration, criticizing the lack of a strong vision from the Democrats and the success of Trump’s political strategy. He attributed Trump’s popularity to the Democrats’ failure to present a coherent mission or leadership, while also pointing out the inadequacies of their platform on critical issues like tariffs. Smith expressed frustration with the Democrats’ focus on topics like “woke culture” instead of addressing economic issues, which he believes ultimately failed to resonate with voters.
Though Smith emphasized that he would prefer a more qualified candidate to step up, he acknowledged that if the 2028 race came down to him, he would consider running. His name has already appeared in early polls among Democratic voters, with Smith registering modest support—1% in one poll and 2% in another. Smith believes his presence in these polls signals a lack of leadership within the Democratic Party, suggesting that voters are dissatisfied with the current options.