admin
Stephen A. Smith took the ForbesBLK Summit stage in Atlanta for a fireside chat with Forbes chief content officer Randall Lane, and the man known for calling out nonsense didn’t disappoint. The summit, which wrapped sessions on Morehouse College’s campus this week, drew entrepreneurs and cultural figures and made headlines when Smith mixed media hustle talk with blunt political observations.
When the conversation turned to the idea of running for president, Smith was both candid and pragmatic — saying he believes he could win but calling an actual bid “highly unlikely,” largely because he’s not eager to trade his lucrative private life for the chaos of Washington. He even floated Maryland Gov. Wes Moore as a hypothetical running mate while stressing that the notion remains more rhetorical than real.
Smith’s real ire was aimed at the swamp: he told the audience he’d love to debate lawmakers who’ve “played us all as suckers,” a line that lands well with everyday Americans fed up with backroom deals and career politicians. That kind of plain-spoken frustration is why thousands tune into his show, and conservatives should applaud anyone willing to call out both parties for failing the American people.
Let’s be clear — Smith’s entertainment pedigree and his decision to largely stay in the media echo a wise instinct: celebrity and fame can shine a light on problems, but they are not a substitute for conservative governance. Hardworking citizens want solutions, not another spectacle, and Smith’s reluctance to “give up his money” for a political career is a sober reminder that Washington’s transactional system eats earnest people alive.
The same summit that hosted Smith also doubled as a branding clinic, where creators and CEOs talked about building followings and monetizing influence — a reminder that modern media outfits sell identity as much as ideas. Smith discussed brand-building and consistency on stage, a candid admission that the media marketplace rewards hustle and recognizable voices, but it also underscores how politics risks becoming another revenue stream for influencers.
Americans who prize liberty and common sense should welcome Smith’s bluntness while remaining wary of celebrity celebrity-ism in politics. If he’s calling out Capitol Hill for good reason, that’s a moment conservatives can seize to press for accountability, not applause lines. Keep your heads down, work hard, and demand serious candidates who will fight for taxpayers and the rule of law — not another performer chasing a microphone.
