ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith warned during a Tuesday podcast that Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds would pose a significant threat to Democrats if he chooses to run for president.
Donalds announced on Feb. 25 that he will be running for Florida governor in 2026. Smith, who has discussed the possibility of running for president as a Democrat, said on “The Chris Cuomo Project” that he believes Donalds would not only defeat him but would also likely best Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if they ever faced off.
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“I interviewed Josh Shapiro on my podcast. I’ve interviewed [Democratic Maryland Gov.] Wes Moore, I’ve interviewed Byron Donalds, I just interviewed Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. There are Republicans that I’m going to interview down the pike as well … I’ve always been fascinated by the world of politics and talking about it, but it’s to learn and it’s to decipher who’s closer to right than being wrong,” Smith said. “I’ve always been fascinated about that as it pertains to the world of politics, but that doesn’t mean that I have a strong desire to be a politician. I’d prefer to stay with what I’m doing, even if it is in the political stratosphere.”
Smith interviewed Donalds on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” in September 2023.
“When you look at Byron Donalds, do you say, irregardless of how you feel about him, ‘I can take him’?” Cuomo asked.
“I don’t think so. Listen, I’ve watched him get interviewed, I’ve watched him speak, and although I don’t like his flagrant support of Trump, where he shoves aside just anything that Trump has done, when you get into the weeds talking politics with this man about what conservatives offer compared to Democrats, I find it very difficult to imagine a Democrat in front of him being able to beat him on the issues,” Smith answered. “Because I think he knows what he’s talking about and I think he speaks in a way that resonates with an audience. So he has the facts, he has inside knowledge about what takes place, and on top of it all, he has the personality where he’s feisty enough to come back at you and resonate with a viewing audience. I don’t see a lot of that on the Democratic side.”
Smith added that he believes Shapiro “is a star” and has similar “potential” to Donalds.
“You think Josh Shapiro-Byron Donalds — who wins?” Cuomo followed up.
“I think Byron Donalds would probably win in a close fight with that. And just in terms of their styles and how they come at one another,” Smith said. “I think Wes Moore is a wild card. I find Wes Moore to be elite and highly impressive and he knows when to turn it on and when to dial it back.”
President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds for Florida governor on Truth Social on Feb. 20 before he even publicly announced his intention to run.
“As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote. “He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Donalds is a House Freedom Caucus member and is presently serving in his third term representing Florida’s 19th District.
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