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In recent years, Stephen A. Smith has been more outspoken about politics.
He typically avoids talking politics on ESPN, but he hasn't been afraid to weigh in on his own podcast and other media.
Taking sides on a political argument may come at a cost, but Smith actually believes his political debates have increased his audience.
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Stephen A. Smith appears as a guest on “The View.” (Lou Rocco/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images)
When a listener asked him if he felt that talking about politics would slow down his popularity, he said he didn't “worry about it.”
“First of all, it's politics, it's not sports. Second, I'm not bringing it to ESPN. Third, and most importantly, I think it's important to remember that I'm a reasonable human being,” Smith began. “What I do when I talk about politics is what I do when I do everything. I let them know how I feel and where I stand based on the facts that I've been presented with. But I'm open-minded to being corrected, which means I'm willing to engage in dialogue. And I'm willing to talk to people and listen to what they have to say.”
Stephen A. Smith on “ESPN NBA Countdown” set at the Intuit Dome on October 23, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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Smith said his open-mindedness “encourages people” to do the same and listen to his thoughts.
“I'm not one of those stubborn, rabid ideologues who's stuck in one position, and I don't budge, and I don't give a damn how anyone else feels… that's not who I am,” Smith continued. “All I do is research my information, tell you what I learned, what I know, what I think I know. I articulate those thoughts to you from the honesty and sincere position that I come from, and then I let the chips fall where they may.
“When you have that attitude, you lift people up, not discourage them, because you're willing to say what you feel… That helps make the world a better place.”
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said Thursday that he doesn't believe there is a Democratic candidate who can beat the Vance/Rubio presidential bid in 2028. (For Griffin/Getty Images)
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Smith has been critical of both sides.
He recently suggested that he felt like a “fool” for voting for former Vice President Kamala Harris last year.
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