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Stephen A. Smith gave a ringing endorsement to an unlikely political figure after previously hinting at his own presidential ambitions.
The sports analyst, who recently signed a $100million contract with ESPN, teased his own possible run for president earlier this year but on Tuesday came out backing Gavin Newsom for the White House, amid the California Governor’s bitter feud with Donald Trump.
The democrat has clashed with Trump on a wide range of topics over the past few months, including transgender athletes and the deployment of the national guard.
Most recently, he’s even taken to using AI generated content and sassy, snarky posts parodying the president’s online persona to troll Trump on social media.
Yet, despite Newsom’s very public spat with Trump, Smith believes he could be the next occupant of the Oval Office – and for one very key reason that has nothing to do with his policies.
‘After the clash with Trump over the National Guards coming into the city of Los Angeles,’ the ‘First Take’ host said on his own eponymous YouTube show. ‘July 2025 his approval rating jumped from 38 percent to 56 percent approval. Typical range 52 to 56 approval in state polls.
Stephen A. Smith (left) gave a ringing endorsement to Gavin Newsom (right) this week
‘Why is this relevant? Because you’re talking about somebody… let’s call it what it is, [I’ll] say this about Gavin Newsom, the brother looks presidential.
‘Listen, I don’t look at men that way, that’s just not my flavor but the brother does look good in a blue suit. I mean, he looks very presidential. He really really does. Hair slicked back. Pat Riley (president of the Miami Heat) might be jealous.
‘Good looking dude, excellent speaker. Can articulate his thoughts clearly. Highly intelligent. Knows the issues. Knows how to fight and is willing to take on Trump.’
While his looks may have won Smith’s vote, Newsom has a long way to go to win over Trump’s loyal MAGA fanbase.
Trump and Newsom first clashed earlier this year, when, six-months after assuming office, Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to increase its deportation efforts in Los Angeles.
As a result, mass protests broke out across the city with demonstrators overwhelming local police and blocking major city highways.
In response, Trump, against Newsom’s wishes, federalized California’s National Guard while doubling-down on ICE immigration raids in Southern California.
Trump has also taken issue with California over the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports with the 2028 Olympics, which are set to be held in Los Angeles, on the horizon.
Newsom has clashed with Donald Trump on a number of issues over the past few months
Trump signed the ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ executive order to ban trans athletes from women’s sports back in February, a move which some Democratic-led US states have chosen to ignore.
Back in May, the president threatened to pull federal funding in California if the state did not follow the order, before suing its Department of Education when they refused to do so.
The lawsuit filed by the Justice Department said California’s trans athlete stance violated Title IX, the federal law that bans discrimination in education based on sex.
The department also claimed the state’s policies ‘are not only illegal and unfair but also demeaning, signaling to girls that their opportunities and achievements are secondary to accommodating boys.’
US Attorney General Pam Bondi warned other states that allow trans girls to compete in female athletics that they could also face challenges by the federal government.
Most recently, the governor launched a new redistricting push in California following efforts by Texas and other GOP-dominated states.
Texas Democrats recently fled the state Capital to New York and Illinois to block a quorum being called by state Republicans.
Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans are trying to push through a mid-decade redistricting legislation that would benefit the GOP.
Newsom sent a letter to Trump earlier this week promising to eliminate Republican seats in California in order to offset GOP gains in Texas and other red states.
Trump did not respond to Newsom’s letter, or the governor’s insults over social media.
