"I'm not surprised": Stephen A. Smith slams Donald Trump, says he doesn't like what he's seen so far

ESPN’s “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith has openly acknowledged that he is seriously considering a run for the U.S. presidency. The prominent sports commentator, who has long been known for his impassioned takes on the basketball court rather than the political arena, has now become an unexpected voice in the national political conversation.

Donald Trump recently shocked the world with his tariffs, particularly against China. And Stephen A. Smith does not like all these, but he is not surprised anymore.
Discussing Donald Trump’s performance, Smith didn’t mince words. “I don't like what I'm seeing, but I'm not surprised,” he said, pointing to the chaotic nature of Trump's economic strategies. Smith singled out the tariff wars as a misstep, explaining, “My attitude was, is that he should have immediately targeted China and not every nation on the planet, for crying out loud, just throwing tariffs at everybody.” His frustration lies in what he views as a lack of cohesive planning, calling it “very haphazard” and suggesting the administration seemed to be throwing policies “against the wall to see what will stick.” Still, he gave a rare nod of credit: “What you have to applaud them for is for trying something.”

His most damning critique, however, was aimed at Trump’s communication skills—or the lack thereof. “But I know this much, when you consider who’s on the other side and how he’s gotten away with saying very little in terms of being coherent and articulating his thoughts clearly and concisely and what have you. This is not something that he’s known to do. Yet, and still, he has owned the Republican Party since 2015,” Smith emphasized.
While speaking with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on This Week, Smith dropped a bombshell that took many by surprise. “I have no choice, because I've had elected officials, and I'm not going to give their names, elected officials coming up to me. I've had folks who are pundits come up to me. I've had folks that got a lot of money, billionaires and others that have talked to me about exploratory committees and things of that nature. I'm not a politician. I've never had a desire to be a politician,” Smith stated candidly.
Although Smith has reiterated time and again that politics was never his calling, the growing pressure and support from influential figures have made him reconsider. The sheer number of conversations he's had—spanning political leaders, media analysts, and business magnates—has left him with little choice but to keep the door open. His remarks have sparked curiosity not just because of his celebrity status, but due to the genuine concern he appears to have for the current state of the political landscape.
Smith’s recent commentary stems from deep-rooted frustration with the Democratic Party. After their devastating defeat in last November’s elections, where they were locked out of major power centers during Donald Trump’s second term, Smith has become increasingly critical of the party’s direction. His disillusionment, however, is not simply partisan—it’s layered with a desire for accountability and coherence in leadership.
Stephen A. Smith’s political commentary is no longer just sideline chatter. As whispers grow louder about a possible 2028 run, his voice—grounded in frustration but driven by hope for change—may soon echo beyond the sports world into the heart of American politics.
Also Read: Did the Saints drop the ball? Coaches reportedly blindsided by Derek Carr injury news