Karen Hunter and Stephen A. Smith go way back, way further than even she realized. It was Smith who reminded her that their history stretched all the way back to 1993. Over the years, their relationship had its ups and downs, but they always kept each other in their sights.
Lately, though, all the political scuttlebutt surrounding Smith had Hunter raising an eyebrow. The conversation about him possibly running for president? — She reached out and invited him to her podcast for an unfiltered conversation.
Last month, following his interview with CNBC Sport, Smith sent the internet into a frenzy when he casually mentioned he “wouldn’t mind being in office.” That was all the internet needed to run with the idea that the outspoken sports commentator was gearing up for a bid.
However, in true Stephen A. fashion, he had to set the record straight.
“Look. I have no interest. Look at my life. Do I really look like I want to stress myself?” Smith told Hunter, shaking his head. “Let’s just be clear—In this case—I have no desire to run. Okay?”
And if that wasn’t clear enough, he doubled down.
“I’m not qualified. I’m not interested. None of that,” he said. “For the people in the back, because clearly, y’all didn’t hear me the first time—I have no desire to run for the presidency of the United States. I’m making money. I’m successful. I’m happy. But most importantly, Karen, I am NOT a beggar.”
Smith went on to explain that politics requires constant handouts—dealing with donors and politicians and maneuvering through the endless red tape. That’s just not his style.
“Even if you’re the president, you still need Congress, the Senate, donors, surrogates—all of that,” he said. “Your hand is out constantly. That’s not me.”
Of course, Smith has never been shy about his political opinions. He made waves during the last election when he publicly criticized then-Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she was “hiding in plain sight” from her supporters. That came as a surprise to some, considering he was a vocal supporter of Harris—at least in comparison to Donald Trump.
Smith had some things to get off his chest, and as always, he didn’t hold back. The sports commentator-turned-cultural critic made it clear—he wasn’t here for the narrative that Black men who didn’t vote for Kamala Harris were somehow misogynistic.
“Oh, so now we gotta be pushed out if we don’t fall in line? Nah. That strategy was flawed from the start,” Smith fired off. “Then here comes Obama, stepping in as soon as Kamala Harris is in the mix. Let’s not forget—sis couldn’t even make it to Iowa in 2020. But after June 27th? Suddenly, she’s the savior? And then Obama rolls up on the brothers talking about, ‘If we don’t vote for her, we’re misogynistic?’ Hold up—what?”
He didn’t let that slide.
“Now, let me ask this rhetorically because I get it—us as brothers? Yeah, [we’ve] got room for improvement, no doubt. But let’s not act brand new. If there’s one thing we don’t play about? It’s our Black women. Don’t do that. We’re talking about the collective, not the outliers,” he continued. “Black women are the backbone. They raised us, nurtured us, and held us down. So don’t come at us sideways with that narrative. We know who we honor.”
Smith made it clear: Black men not backing Harris wasn’t about gender—it was about choice and he wasn’t about to let the guilt-tripping fly unchecked.
However, following Harris’ astonishing loss, Smith made an admission that shocked many. He revealed that his vote for Harris wasn’t about strong support for her but rather a vote against Trump. The First Take host also expressed his feelings about former President Barack Obama accusing Black male voters who planned not to vote for Harris, “Misogynistic.”
“You need to be pushed out if [you’re] not going to ride with this because this is our strategy. No, it was flawed. And then Obama comes up in there once Kamala Harris is in the mix, who, by the way, couldn’t get to Iowa in 2020, but suddenly she the Savior after June 27th, and then Obama rolls up on brothers, brothers if we don’t vote for her, it’s misogynistic,” he declared. “What? Now I ask a question rhetorically, I understand that us as brothers could be a lot better in a lot of categories. If there’s one thing we love, it’s our Black women. Come on now. You can’t do that. I’m talking about collectively. Don’t give me the exceptions that are out there that are different. The vast of men out there. We revere Black women because black women are who take care of us. They raised us, they nurtured us.”
Lock in as Hunter and Smith go even further down the political rabbit hole.
Listen to the full episode above.
“Karen Hunter Is Awesome“ airs on all major streaming platforms on Fridays at 9 AM EST. Tune in for more unfiltered conversations you won’t hear anywhere else.
