FIRST TAKE — When Democrats fade into their happy place — 2028 — there’s a long roster of familiar governors, senators and other party officials that they run through for potential candidates. And in recent weeks, the buzz for another has taken off: Stephen A. Smith. Yes, that Stephen A. Smith, the one who’s been at ESPN spewing takes, after takes, after takes, off and on since 2005. It seems implausible on its face. But so did Donald Trump, three years out from the 2016 election. And some are now wondering if Smith — maybe, just maybe — could bring together the hobbled Democratic party’s splintered factions and channel a Trump type of energy and connection with disaffected voters. Smith is no regular pundit. He’s become famous for his ability to take any anodyne topic and turn it into content that goes viral on social media — take his tirade about the Pixar movie ‘Cars’ or his impromptu performance of Beyoncé’s smash hit ‘Single Ladies’. He innately understands what gets the internet’s attention. Right now, it’s increasingly his burgeoning interest in politics. Throughout the 2024 presidential election, and even more so since November on his podcast, Smith made clear his frustrations with the Democratic Party’s inability to beat Trump. He’s rarely nakedly ideological, nor does he get into the weeds of policy discourse. What he does believe is that Trump is unbecoming of the presidency, and that Democrats have some work to do as well. His podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” remains mostly sports-related content, listened to by a base of mostly non-political junkies (likely including many of the young men who defected from the Democratic Party in November). But recently, he’s also been talking about Trump’s executive orders and spending freezes, and even had Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro — a presidential prospect himself — on for an interview on Wednesday. In a recent appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Smith, sitting alongside Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), ripped into former Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats for their performance. “The man was impeached twice. He was convicted on 34 felony counts. And the American people still said, ‘He’s closer to normal than what we see on the left.’” Smith said of the election results. “Exactly,” Maher responded. Smith goes on in the interview to offer his take on the ways in which Democrats have lost a majority of America. “What voter out there can look at the Democratic party at this moment in time and say there’s a voice for us, somebody that speaks for us,” Smith said. “They didn’t do that. And that’s why their behinds are home and that man is back in the White House.” He also insisted that former President Barack Obama’s apparent palling around with Trump at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral was not a “good look.” Last week, Khanna took to X in praise of Smith. “.@stephenasmith is one of the most talented and authentic communicators of our age. He speaks against the status quo with conviction and knows what ordinary people are thinking. Dems should listen to him.” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) echoed that sentiment, responding to a post from Smith teasing a presidential run by saying, “Don’t underestimate this idea, @stephenasmith could win. In today’s politics the best, tougher messenger usually wins.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about the Smith boomlet on Thursday. “2028 is way off in the distance. House Democrats are engaged in hour by hour, day to day, week to week struggle on behalf of the American people,” Jeffries said, adding, “There’s a lot to like about Stephen A. Smith, including the fact that we are die hard Knicks fans.” Just last week, Smith also sparred on Fox News with Sean Hannity about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a discussion on DEI cuts. “You have somebody like Hegseth, for example, your former colleague,” Smith said, as Hannity interjected and said to leave his friend out of it. “I’m not bringing up anything personal. I’m simply saying, my god Sean, when you talk about people that are unqualified … When you’re a weekend host on Fox News and now you’re the Defense secretary … that is not qualified.” The result of these recent appearances has been an eruption of chatter on social media, serious and unserious, about Smith as a prospective 2028 Democratic nominee. “F— it, we found our guy,” one X user posted, garnering 17,000 likes. One account, titled, “Stephen A. Smith 2028,” picked up over 10,000 followers overnight last week. It now has over 24,000 followers (including newly anointed Democratic National Committee vice chair David Hogg). “I know this whole thing might seem like a joke, but I should remind you that's exactly what they said about Trump at first too!” the owner of the account, who did not provide his name, said in an email to POLITICO. Fancams have been made, in the same vein of Harris and Tim Walz edits this summer. The ever-thirsty Smith has basked in the speculation about his presidential prospects, but has yet to take any steps to seriously suggest he’s considering a bid. “I doubt I’ll ever run. It’s not me,” Smith said earlier this month. “I’ve a pretty good life and I don’t want to ruin it by ever getting involved in politics. But I gotta tell y’all something, the Democratic Party looks so pathetic after this election, I might entertain running. I might just change my mind one day.” In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, he added more fuel to the fire. “I wouldn’t mind being in office. But running for it is a problem. I’m not one of those dudes that’s great at shaking hands and kissing babies, per say. I’m not a beggar.” Trump might have said the same in the years before he descended down the Trump Tower escalator to announce his longshot presidential bid. Now, Smith’s fans see an opening within the Democratic Party for a similarly disruptive and unconventional candidate. “In 2016, Trump freed the Republicans from their Obama-induced malaise in a sweep of dynamic charisma,” the account’s owner said. “As an outsider himself, Smith is very well positioned to do the same for the Democrats, who are in need of a redefinition.” Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at bjohansen@politico.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BenJohansen3.
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