In a fresh chat with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Stephen A. Smith tackled the speculation about a future presidential bid. Over the past year, his name has popped up in political chatter as a possible candidate, but the preview clip showed him shutting that down fast. Hannity asked, “You’re not really running, right?” Smith fired back, “I’m not running either, because I’d have to give up my money. Yeah, I ain’t giving up my money, Sean.”
When Hannity pressed him on the rumors, Smith didn’t hold back. The clip had Hannity saying, “I think it’s all bulls—… I don’t think you’re running. Am I right?” Smith answered straight up about the financial realities of public office. “I don’t think I’m running either, because I got to give up my money,” he said. “Yeah, I ain’t giving up my money, Sean.”
The exchange lit up social media because Smith often chats about politics, so folks couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever jump into the political ring.
Stephen A. Smith Puts the 2028 Rumors to Bed
In the same podcast segment, Smith said money is the big reason he won’t chase the presidency. He broke it down simply—his broadcasting paychecks dwarf the president’s $400K salary.
“I can tell you right now, let me put the presidential aspirations to bed. If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening.”
Smith is one of ESPN’s biggest voices. On top of that, he runs a SiriusXM show that dropped in late 2024.
He also hosts “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.,” a political talk show that lets him dive into policy, leadership, and what’s happening now. With that platform, some folks think he could pivot to politics down the line.
But the Hannity interview makes it pretty clear—he’s not leaving his media hustle anytime soon. He’s made it known he values the paycheck and the work he’s got now more than a White House gig.
Numbers tell the story: The New York Times reports his base salary from ESPN and SiriusXM is around $33 million a year. Adding his YouTube channel and podcast revenue pushes the total near $40 million. Meanwhile, the president’s annual salary is $400,000. That gap is a big reason he keeps saying no to a run.
So the money talk is a huge part of why he’s publicly brushing off the presidential buzz.
Stephen A. Smith Has Talked About Running Before
Even though he’s now dismissing the campaign possibility, he’s talked about it before. Back in November, he told The Hill he wasn’t ruling anything out—but he wasn’t thinking about it then either.
“I’m not ruling anything out, but I’m not thinking about that right now.”
He’s repeated the same line in other chats: he loves what he does and isn’t willing to give up his money.
Since then, Smith keeps weighing in on politics through his own shows, covering government leadership, economic policy, and debates from both sides.
Despite his strong views on national issues, he hasn’t taken any official step toward a campaign. His latest comments suggest the speculation will stay just talk for now.
Stephen A. Smith Names Leaders He’d Support
During the Hannity chat, Smith also named three political figures he thinks could handle the job. Hannity asked him to rattle off three he’d back.
He pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, plus Democratic governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Wes Moore of Maryland.
When talking about Rubio, Smith called him “an adult in the room” and said there’s no questioning his qualifications.
Smith said he’d vote for Rubio over most Democrats—but he’d still pick Wes Moore or Josh Shapiro over anyone else.
“Yes. I’d vote for Marco Rubio over anybody that’s out there right now other than Wes Moore or Josh Shapiro,” Smith said.
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