ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, who has teased the possibility of running for president in the 2028 election, said that Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) could make him a Republican.
Smith praised the Trump ally and Florida gubernatorial candidate, saying he’s the “real deal.”
“And I ain’t no d— Republican. But that mean if anybody could make me one, it would be him. I’m just going to keep it a buck. I’m just letting you know,” Smith said, according to Fox News.
“He’s the real deal. Make no mistake about it. I’ve seen him battling with Democrats. I’ve seen him battling with people on different shows, whatever. He ain’t backing up. He knows his stuff. OK? I talk to him all the time. All the time. And I ain’t got nothing bad to say about him,” he continued.
Stephen A. Smith admits Florida Rep. Byron Donalds could make him a Republican, calls him ‘the real deal’ https://t.co/AoGpubltZV pic.twitter.com/GVKYQn7Pmx
— New York Post (@nypost) August 15, 2026
Fox News shared further:
A Donalds campaign official confirmed to Fox News Digital Friday that Smith and Donalds are friends. Campaign communications director Gates McGavick said Donalds was attracting voters across demographic groups by focusing on affordability and public safety.
“Byron Donalds is drawing support from Floridians of all backgrounds because he has a clear vision to make Florida more affordable, keep Floridians safe and make sure the radical left stays out of the Sunshine State,” McGavick said. “He is building a broad coalition that puts common sense over crazy to lead Florida into the future.”
One GOP source’s assessment provided to Fox News Digital Friday focused on President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
“Donalds is endorsed by POTUS, and we fully expect him to win the primary,” the source said.
A James Madison Institute poll released Aug. 6 placed Donalds at 49% among likely Republican primary voters, 31 points ahead of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.
Donalds told Smith that Democrats have “lost the plot.”
Watch below:
Rep. Byron Donalds says Democrats have “lost the plot.”
From the economy and affordability to the WNBA and cultural issues, Donalds lays out where he believes Democrats have gone wrong. pic.twitter.com/p1uT96v87P
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 14, 2026
Smith also addressed the possibility of running in the 2028 presidential election, saying there’s only one potential opponent he would worry about.
Yahoo Sports noted:
As of this moment, Smith hasn’t made a final decision on the 2028 presidential election. He has, however, stated many times that he’d win almost any debate.
“I believe I can win,” Smith said, via Awful Announcing. “The only candidate I would be worried about is Marco Rubio. Because I think he’s an adult in the room with impeccable credentials, I can’t knock that. But I don’t believe there’s a Democrat out there I can’t beat. I don’t believe it.”
Only time will tell if Smith leaves ESPN behind to become a politician.
Watch Smith’s full interview with Donalds below: