ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said he’s officially considering a 2028 presidential run. “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 said. 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 https://t.co/n6BmAOKjiv — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 7, 2025 Per USA TODAY: The bombastic sports journalist, who currently has a feud with NBA basketball player LeBron James, has been floated by many as a potential White House contender. The calls for Smith to run have come given the populist wave that returned Donald Trump to the office, and calls for a shakeup in the Democratic Party. Smith told USA TODAY back in March he didn’t “give a d*** about the office” and preferred sparring with political leaders rather than being one. But that hasn’t stopped speculation, particularly after a Jan. 27 poll by McLaughlin & Associates, a popular Republican pollster, showed Smith within striking distance of well-known Democratic contenders. The poll asked 414 voters if the Democratic primary for president were held today who would they prefer and had expected names at the top such as former Vice President Kamala Harris who raked in 33% but also former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who pulled in 9% and 7% respectively. “Practically every network has called. They’re apparently taking it very seriously, so I have no choice but to do so,” Smith said. WATCH: Stephen A. Smith on His Possible 2028 Presidential Run “Practically every network has called. They're apparently taking it very seriously, so I have no choice but to do so.” pic.twitter.com/yuGm2W6b0i — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) April 9, 2025 NewsNation reports: Speaking at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Smith told interviewer Mike McVay that while he initially had “no desire” to enter politics, recent developments have caused him to reconsider, Barrett Media reported. “Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it,” Smith said. “I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill, governors, mayors and other elected officials who have legitimately and seriously asked me about running.” Smith, who previously dismissed the idea despite some polls showing him as a potential top Democratic candidate, now says he’s keeping his options open. “I’m no longer going to close that door,” he said. “If it comes to late 2026 or 2027, and I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess, and there’s legitimate reason to believe I have a shot to win the presidency, I am not going to rule it out.”

President Trump has paused “reciprocal” tariffs, except China. He raised the tariff on China from 104% to 125%. Trump on Wednesday announced a “90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately.” “Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added. Per CNBC: Stock market indices rocketed sharply higher on Trump’s announcement. The benchmark S&P 500 index leapt by 7%, which puts it on track for its largest single-day gain in five years. Trump’s Truth Social post credited his decision to pause the full effect of tariffs on the fact that “more than 75 Countries” have contacted U.S. officials “to negotiate a solution” to trade concerns that he raised in imposing the new duties. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in a tweet, said that he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sat with Trump while he wrote out the announcement on Truth Social, “one of the most extraordinary Truth posts of his Presidency.” “The world is ready to work with President Trump to fix global trade, and China has chosen the opposite direction,” Lutnick wrote. BREAKING: President Trump issues a 90-day pause on tariffs "and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period of 10%," except for China. The president has raised tariffs on China to 125%, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/XNBKA6uH7S — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 9, 2025 WATCH: #BREAKING: U.S. stocks are HEAVILY spiking after President Trump announced a 125% tariff on China, and a 90 day pause on countries who reached out to negotiate NASDAQ now up almost 10%! China is now FIRMLY in President Trump’s crosshairs! https://t.co/2jjn22juYS pic.twitter.com/tSdZIvBO6t — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 9, 2025 CNN reports: The higher tariffs on China came after Beijing announced new retaliatory tariffs on the United States to take effect on Thursday. The Trump administration has taken particular aim at China’s trade practices. Trump had “great courage to stay the course until this moment,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday. The administration told countries around the world “do not retaliate and you will be rewarded, so every country in the world who wants to come and negotiate, we are willing to hear you,” he added. Bessent said the move “signals that President Trump cares about trade and that we want to negotiate in good faith.”