Stephen A. Smith’s political aspirations were criticized by James Carville, a long-time liberal pundit, after the sports analyst had been teasing a potential White House bid for weeks. 

Smith, who had previously discussed the idea of entering politics with DailyMail.com, had been dropping hints about a Democratic run in 2028 following Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump in the November elections. 

Even though he claimed not to have presidential ambitions, the 57-year-old confidently stated that he could defeat any Democratic candidate put forth. 

However, Carville, who worked as a lead strategist on Bill Clinton’s winning 1992 campaign, delivered a brutal verdict on Smith’s chances of taking the White House in an expletive-ridden rant on his Politicon podcast.

‘When it comes to sports, I find him to be really insightful. When it comes to politics, he don’t know his a** from a hole in the ground,’ Carville said. 

‘He’s on there running his goddamn mouth about how he may have to run as a Democrat because there’s nothing left of the Democratic Party, and they have no talent. Stephen A., are you s****ing me?’

Stephen A. Smith’s (R) political aspirations were eviscerated by pundit James Carville (L)

The analyst left the door open for a possible presidency bid while speaking to DailyMail.com

‘Before you start running your f***ing mouth off, about politics, a topic of which you really don’t know anything about, you ought to sit back and think about it and call some people and run it by them,’ Carville continued. 

‘But don’t let your political stupidity stand in the way of your outspoken, and I think insightful views, when it comes to American sports, which I think you are an expert at. 

‘The last thing they’re thinking is, if I decide that I want to take the next step in American politics, I’m going to be facing some brutal, brutal opposition. And they both know that. And they know it deep down, and they know it well. So Stephen A., keep up your s*** on sports. I enjoy it, I like it, but don’t make a fool of yourself anymore talking about politics.’ 

Smith has not shied away from delivering bold political takes in the aftermath of Trump’s emphatic victory over Harris in the polls during last year’s election. 

In recent weeks, Smith shocked Bill Maher’s audience with his blunt verdict on why Trump won a second term in the White House – and admitted why he feels like a ‘damn fool’ for supporting Harris. 

As a result of his hot takes, which have gone viral, Smith has generated a lot of support for a potential presidential bid. 

‘If they told me I had a legitimate, bonafide shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would entertain it,’ Smith told DailyMail.com in the buildup to this month’s Super Bowl. 

‘Because the part that I’m not joking about is I believe I could beat every candidate on that poll. Every candidate that they mentioned, from Kamala Harris right on down to (Pete) Buttigieg and to Tim Walz. I’d beat all of them. I do believe that. I really do.’

Carville worked as a lead strategist on Bill Clinton’s (left) winning 1992 campaign

Smith has more support than several big-name Democratic presidential hopefuls, a poll said

Voters were asked who they would vote for if the 2028 Democratic primary was held today

Smith’s claims come after John McLaughlin – who was Trump’s chief pollster – held a national survey of 1,000 general election voters last month. 

Among the questions he asked was: ‘Thinking ahead to the 2028 Democratic primary election for president, if that election were held today among the following candidates, for whom would you vote?’

Two percent said they would choose ESPN star Smith. That is more than the likes of Beto O’Rourke – who ran for the nomination in 2020 – and JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois (both one percent).

Remarkably, Smith polled only one percentage point behind Tim Walz – Harris’ vice-presidential pick – and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro.

Harris was overwhelmingly the No 1 choice, with a third of voters (33 percent) saying they would vote for the former vice president – despite her defeat by Trump in November.