Just a few days ago, Stephen A. Smith officially ruled out a 2028 presidential run. Smith didn’t want to give up his money and showed “zero” desire to actually be a career politician. However, former Cowboys defensive end Marcellus Wiley isn’t at peace with Smith’s decision. That’s why his recent interview with the VIBE magazine provided some solid points on why Smith should chase the political role. 

“I take it seriously,” Marcellus Wiley told VIBE magazine as per their Instagram post. “I know people with billions who support him and have huge political pull. They’re ready to back him if he chooses to go all the way. He can do it, and honestly, he’s more qualified than some of the worst we’ve had.”

Otherwise known for his banter with Dan Orlovsky on the First Take show, this take from the Cowboys legend added insight into how serious this campaign could turn out to be. According to Wiley, a political job requires immense support from the public, and most importantly, the public should love you. Smith already has that support as a celebrity. The 58-year-old has been in broadcasting for approximately 27 years. 

For him, jumping into a political role will eventually increase his audience. 

“I do because just to get the popular vote, just to get the masses, to get an audience, you’ll need to already have one built in,” Wiley added on why more celebrities will enter politics. “They don’t even really know your character as much as they think they do, but it’s the persona, it’s the personality. It’s all these things that add up to what they think your character is, so people rock with you. They feel they know you.”

Stephen A. Smith’s political speculation did not appear overnight. The ESPN personality himself fueled the conversation after repeatedly saying he would consider running for U.S. president if the political climate demanded it. He also noted that if he ever stepped into the race, it would likely be as a Democrat, despite often describing himself politically as an independent capitalist. The chatter only intensified once major political figures began referencing his name.

During a town hall discussion, even former President Donald Trump said he would “love to see him run” for the White House. Smith later admitted he was “aghast” at the endorsement, though he acknowledged the attention it generated. His name even surfaced in early hypothetical polling for the 2028 Democratic primary, where he drew modest support in the 1-2% range. At the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters event, Smith stated that he had “no desire to be a politician.”

However, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of running in the future. He noted that politicians are often “professional beggars,” emphasizing the compromises required in politics that might conflict with his independent voice.

“My life is pretty damn good,” Smith told Deadline in May last year as he made his Law & Order debut. “Why would I ruin it by being a politician? So that’s my initial response. But in the end, you never know what God has planned for you, so you just leave your options open, and that’s what I’m doing.”

While Smith pulled the plug on his political career way earlier, Kanye West had embarked on such a campaign in 2020. But that didn’t end well, and following that, the rapper did not run in 2024.

Stephen A. Smith won’t leave the perks of being a celebrity

Speculation about a Smith presidential run has circulated for over a year. It was fueled by his occasional political commentary and high-profile media presence. Before Wiley’s comments, on March 10, Smith addressed the topic directly during Sean Hannity’s Hang Out with Sean Hannity podcast, providing a long-awaited final decision on the matter.

“Let me put the presidential aspirations to bed,” Smith said. “If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening. I love what I do, and I’m not willing to give up my money.” 

As per the New York Times, between ESPN and SiriusXM, Smith’s base annual salary is $33 million. And it leads upto $40 million when factoring in revenue from his YouTube channel and podcast. Guess what? A U.S. president’s salary is $400,000 per year. There is no way Smith picks up a paycheck like that. This stance represents a shift from his earlier comments in 2024 and 2025, when he had suggested he might consider running. 

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Smith also shared which leaders he respects in the 2028 field, mentioning Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He particularly praised Rubio for his leadership qualities but stopped short of making any personal endorsements. Currently, a Stephen A. Smith presidential run remains purely speculative.