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Stephen A. Smith’s U.S. Presidential aspirations may have been reignited by Donald Trump contemptuously dismissing him as an “arrogant fool.”
Smith should raise the ante by challenging the President to a mano-a-mano debate on First Take.
Imagine the TV ratings possibilities if Smith and President Trump were to embrace debate on ESPN’s top-rated morning show. Smith’s May reunion with former sparring partner Skip Bayless averaged a whopping 647,000 viewers, up 44% from the corresponding episode the year before. Having Smith and Trump go at it could push First Take over the 1-million-viewer mark. First Take averaged 564,000 viewers in May, up 18%.
I talked to some sources about a potential Smith vs. Trump showdown on First Take. They thought it unlikely because their debate would inevitably veer away from sports and into the third rail political/social topics that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro wants to avoid.
On the other hand, Smith and Trump love to debate and argue and neither backs down from a challenge. As executive producer, Smith has the pull to make it happen. Here’s why a Smith vs. Trump debate on First Take makes business sense for Smith and ESPN:
Political Momentum
Besting Trump in debate would make Smith the darling of Democratic Party power players, who’ve been quietly urging him to run for the White House in 2028. Democrats are still licking their wounds from former President Joe Biden’s humiliating debate performance against Trump in July 2024. With his name recognition, weekday TV perch, and more centrist positions, Smith was previously polling at about 2% in early polls of Democratic contenders. Before their current feud, Trump himself said Smith’s “entertainment skills” would make him a strong candidate.
While Trump has occasionally teased a fourth presidential run, the reality is he’s term-limited out. If Smith wants a shot at the champ on the debate stage, this is it. Smith tends to save his more explosive political commentary for his SiriusXM programs. So that’s another possible locale for the two to have at it.
Presidential Precedent
There’s precedence for presidential appearances on ESPN.
Trump appeared with Pat McAfee to mark Veterans Day in November in an interview that did not just “stick to sports.” (On the other hand, McAfee is an independent talent who licenses his show to ESPN for a hefty fee). President Biden spoke with former ESPN anchor Sage Steele on MLB Opening Day in 2021, during which he addressed the COVID-19 crisis. Former President Barack Obama, a huge sports fan, appeared on ESPN several times during his two terms, including to share his annual March Madness picks.
Entertainment Factor
It would be wildly entertaining TV from two lifelong Knicks fans. Smith kicked off the war of words by declaring Trump should not attend Game 3 of Knicks-Spurs at Madison Garden. “
This president has no business showing up in New York City,” said Smith. “I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
Trump fired back on Truth Social, writing: “Stephen A. Smith is an arrogant fool. A low IQ individual. In other words, he’s ‘dumb as a rock,’ and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or even low political office, for that matter! He’d get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians. Joe Biden’s now ‘fabled’ performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn’t much! Within a few weeks, they’d laugh him out of politics!!!”
Never underestimate the power of ridicule. In recent months, Smith seems to have cooled to the idea of a presidential run, mostly because he doesn’t want to campaign. But Trump’s insults could change his mind. Some presidential observers believe Obama’s public mockery of Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ dinner inspired the mogul’s successful White House run in 2016. Could Trump’s ridicule of a reluctant Smith push him off the fence and into the ring?
Either way, I think it’s a mistake for Trump to underestimate Smith. The guy’s been debating and beating all comers on national TV for a dozen years. His recent “Three Americans” event with Bill O’Reilly and Chris Cuomo may have whetted his appetite for topics more important than the Knicks and Cowboys.
