Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Charles Barkley Dismisses Stephen A. Smith’s Presidential Ambitions
NBA icon Charles Barkley has publicly cast doubt on ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith’s recently hinted political aspirations, specifically a potential presidential run. Barkley, known for his candid opinions, addressed Smith’s burgeoning interest in politics, suggesting it began as a joke that has become unexpectedly serious.
Barkley’s Blunt Rejection of Smith’s Political Prospects
‘Calm down, Stephen A.—and Stephen A. is a friend,’ Barkley stated in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. When questioned about the ESPN personality’s future as a potential White House contender, Barkley was straightforward: ‘C’mon, man. Stop it. C’mon. It had to start out as a joke and he started taking it serious. C’mon, man. All I would say is ”knock it off.” And that’s the best way to phrase it.’
Barkley definitively answered ‘no’ when asked if he could ever vote for Smith, leaving no ambiguity about his stance on Smith’s presidential chances.
Stephen A. Smith’s White House Considerations
Despite lacking any prior political experience, Stephen A. Smith recently indicated he is genuinely exploring a presidential bid after claiming to have been approached by ‘elected officials’ regarding a potential campaign. He shared a link to a Barrett Media article where he appeared to walk back previous assertions that he would never seek public office.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Despite a complete absence of political experience, Smith recently said he’s genuinely considering running for President after being approached by ‘elected officials’
Charles Barkley has dismissed Stephen A. Smith’s hopes at a presidential run
In a post on X, Smith wrote, ‘Time to stop messing around. Life is great. Especially at ESPN/Disney. Hate the thought of being a politician. But sick of this mess. So I’m officially leaving all doors open.’
Smith Cites Encouragement from Political Figures
In the Barrett Media article, Smith elaborated, ‘Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it.’
He continued, ‘I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it.’
Smith admitted, ‘I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door. I’m gonna keep my options open. I’m going to entertain the possibility.’
Timeline for Potential Political Entry
Smith suggested a potential timeline, stating, ‘If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe … that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States. I am not going to rule it out.’
Context of Smith’s Comments Amidst Economic Concerns
Smith’s remarks come amidst economic instability linked to former President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Trump’s controversial tariff measures have contributed to international trade tensions and market volatility. Major market indexes, such as the S&P 500, have reportedly experienced a decrease in market value recently due to fluctuating tariffs on imported goods.
Barkley (right) and Smith (left) are pictured on opposite sides of Marv Albert in 2004
Supporters of Trump have contended that any short-term economic difficulties, such as declines in retirement savings, will ultimately be beneficial.
Smith’s Earlier White House Aspirations
Stephen A. Smith previously spoke to Daily Mail about his White House ambitions during the Super Bowl in New Orleans. He stated, ‘I will confess, like I said, I have no desire to do this, but assuming that I’m well off, that I have lots of money, and money is no longer a concern, if the American people came to me and looked at me and said ‘Yo, man, we want you to run for office’, and I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States, I’m not gonna lie. I’ll think about that.’
Smith emphasized financial security, adding, ‘But I gotta have my money. I’m not gonna go to the White House broke. I’m not gonna do that. I gotta have my money. I gotta have my home. I gotta have my financial situation completely taken care of. I have no concerns if that happens for me.’