Stephen A. Smith has not been shy about his political aspirations in recent years. And a surprising number of pundits actually believe the “First Take” personality could have a shot at a 2028 presidential run.

New Shaquille O'Neal Podcast and Podcast Network Coming From Playmaker

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie even lightly endorsed the idea last year. Telling The Washington Post, “Either party would be foolish not to be willing to talk to him. I don’t think it’s imminent, but will he run someday? I think it’s more likely than not that he would.”

Now Shaquille O’Neal is weighing-in (albeit in a less serious way) with co-host Adam Lefkoe about Stephen A.’s presidential chances — which led to a pretty funny exchange between the two.

“I turned on ‘The View’ and … he’s saying, ‘I would win president. I don’t want it,’” Lefkoe began.

“He’d give a great speech with those big-[expletive] words he be using,” Shaq replied.

“If you looked up and you saw him on CNN debating … ” Lefkoe continued.

“Oh, he would win,” O’Neal stated. “Because he would hit the opponent with a big word … whenever you hit a word that somebody’s got to look up, you got ’em.”

“Damn, he be using some big words,” the Hall of Famer added.

“But we’re getting to a point where, your background doesn’t matter as much as, would you be fun to watch argue on TV,” Lefkoe pointed out.

“It would be fun,” O’Neal said. “And you know who his vice president will be? Ochocinco. That will be funny. They’ll probably win, too.”

Stephen A. Smith on ESPN.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 07: ESPN featured commentator and executive producer on set on February 07, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will face each other on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

The dynamics of who can and can’t have a successful presidential bid have definitely shifted since Donald Trump’s first win in 2016.

And according to data obtained by Front Office Sports last month, Smith currently has the fourth-highest odds of being the Democratic Party’s next nominee (7.26%) — tied with former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.