Stephen A. Smith Names Two Democrats He Backs to Challenge Trump, Calls Wes Moore 'the Real Deal'

Stephen A. Smith has named two Democratic candidates he backs to face Donald Trump, describing one as 'the real deal.' On his ESPN program Straight Shooter, he answered a caller from Wisconsin who floated Gavin Newsom as a possible nominee but wasn't sold. 'I love Governor Josh Shapiro for Pennsylvania and Governor Wes Moore from Maryland—those are my two and not necessarily in that order,' Smith said.

Smith singled out Wes Moore as the stronger of the two and described him as 'the real deal—make no mistake about it.' He added that Moore can 'walk and communicate across the aisle and fixate on getting things done,' urging listeners not to ignore him. About Gavin Newsom, Smith offered a mixed assessment: 'I like the look. ... He looks so presidential. He's smart, articulate, bright, very polished and can debate with best of them.' Yet he cautioned that in a general election, critics would focus on California's costs of living, the economy there and homelessness, potentially undermining Newsom's nationwide appeal. 'Here's the problem: when it comes to the general election, all anybody will do is point to the cost of living in California... and I think ultimately that's going to hurt him in a general election.' He also suggested Newsom's leadership style can be overly conciliatory: 'Gavin Newsom is a kind man whose heart is in the right place and he just doesn't want to say no to everybody.'

Smith did not explicitly tie his picks to the 2028 race, but the comments circulate as speculation grows that Newsom is positioning for a presidential bid. A recent Emerson College poll shown in the notes lists Newsom as a leading choice among Democratic primary voters, rising to about 25 percent in the latest survey after a June reading of roughly 12 percent. The shift reportedly came after Newsom intensified a social-media approach that included his press office posting in a style reminiscent of the former president, and as he pursued moves to redraw California's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms. The notes also reference Newsom's role in the California National Guard during a summer clash with anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and a subsequent lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Those developments come as Democrats confront a post-2024 election landscape in which the party seeks a unifying figure to rebuild credibility and electoral momentum. Smith’s acknowledgement of two favorites and a caution about a potential national bid reflects ongoing debate within the party about how to reset for 2028 while resisting ideological and geographic challenges that have complicated the national narrative.