Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN commentator, recently addressed the swirling rumors about a possible future in politics. While not making any official announcements, he shared a light update on the topic during a recent public appearance.

Longtime ESPN host Stephen A. Smith appeared on CNN’s State of the Union to discuss the growing buzz around a potential 2028 presidential run—a possibility he says he’s keeping open. While traditionally aligned with Democratic causes, Smith used the interview to sharply critique his party, blaming the far left for damaging its image and losing touch with working-class Americans.

Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Smith pointed to issues like open borders, excessive government spending, identity politics, and cancel culture as reasons why many Americans feel alienated. He argued that fear of speaking freely, particularly around gender and pronouns, has contributed to psychological strain nationwide and helped fuel Donald Trump’s political rise.

Smith criticized the Democratic Party’s messaging, saying it often feels detached from the real problems people face—like rising costs, crime, and a lack of stability. “People are trying to survive, not argue over political ideologies,” he said.

When asked directly about his own presidential ambitions, Smith admitted he’s not politically experienced or qualified in the traditional sense, but said he’s been encouraged by public figures and everyday citizens alike to consider the idea. He cited a conversation with his pastor, who urged him to keep the door open because “you never know what God has planned.”

Though he emphasized he’s not committed to a run, Smith noted his large platform gives him the opportunity to speak openly about the country’s challenges. He also slammed the performative nature of modern politics, where lawmakers often seem more focused on opposition than solutions. “That’s not leadership. That’s theater,” he said.

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A new revelation from a retired DEA veteran is shedding light on a story that’s stirred confusion in recent days. What was once brushed off as just another “Maryland man” headline now appears far more serious than originally reported.

During Monday’s U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, Terrence Cole — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration — addressed the growing controversy surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the alleged MS-13 gang member deported to El Salvador. Cole, who has extensive field experience as a DEA agent and currently serves as Virginia’s public safety administrator, responded confidently to questions from Sen. Lindsey Graham about gang affiliation and Garcia’s now-infamous knuckle tattoos. Describing MS-13 as a “terrorist organization” known for brutal crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering, Cole stated unequivocally that Garcia’s tattoos signaled a clear link to the violent gang.

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When asked to interpret photos of Garcia’s hand tattoos, Cole detailed how specific symbols — including a leaf representing marijuana, a smiley face, stars, and the number “13” — are commonly associated with MS-13 members. “Those are his markings. That’s his brand,” Cole said, asserting that based on his experience, such tattoos are often used by gang members to signify allegiance. Graham, skeptical of claims that Garcia was wrongfully deported, pressed further, and Cole confirmed that the indicators were consistent with long-established MS-13 identifiers seen throughout Latin America.

The confirmation comes amid a heated political debate sparked by Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) recent trip to El Salvador, where he visited Garcia in prison and claimed the man was being unfairly targeted. Several Democratic lawmakers rallied to Garcia’s defense, referring to him as a “Maryland man,” and raised concerns over potential due process violations. However, their efforts have drawn criticism from both Republicans and within their own party, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly urging Democrats to back away from the case.

Additional reports have cast further doubt on Garcia’s innocence. Aside from the tattoos, Fox News recently reported that Garcia had been stopped in 2022 while allegedly transporting victims of human trafficking. Over a three-year period, his ex-wife reportedly called emergency services multiple times to express fear for her safety and her children’s, citing violent behavior. Her previous husband also accused Garcia of being a gang member in a custody battle, saying his ex was “dating a gang member.”

In a recent interview with ABC News, President Trump doubled down on his administration’s position, rejecting calls to intervene with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to secure Garcia’s release. “He’s not a nice guy,” Trump said, emphasizing that Garcia’s tattoos alone were evidence of his gang ties. When pressed by the journalist that the tattoos were only “interpreted” that way, Trump responded, “Wait a minute — he had ‘MS-13’ on his knuckles.”

Cole’s testimony is expected to bolster the administration’s stance on stricter immigration enforcement and high-profile deportations, especially in cases involving suspected gang activity. The Garcia controversy has now become a flashpoint in the broader debate over border policy, gang enforcement, and what kind of evidence should be considered sufficient to label someone a threat to national security.

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Chevron’s CEO recently shared his thoughts on the state of the U.S. economy, offering a surprisingly optimistic take despite growing chatter about a potential recession. In his remarks, he also took a moment to commend the impact of President Trump’s past economic policies.

In a recent interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth voiced confidence in the state of the U.S. economy and applauded former President Donald Trump’s economic approach. Despite a slight GDP contraction in the first quarter, Wirth dismissed fears of an impending recession, stating that current data from Chevron’s operations doesn’t point to any immediate downturn and attributing the GDP dip to irregular trade patterns.

Wirth also addressed Chevron’s operations in Venezuela, expressing concerns about energy security due to sanctions disrupting the flow of Venezuelan oil to the U.S.—a type of crude that many Gulf Coast refineries are designed to process. He noted that China has become Venezuela’s largest oil customer and warned that ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two nations could shift even more oil away from the U.S.

While acknowledging the risks, Wirth remained optimistic about Trump’s firm stance on foreign adversaries. He praised Trump’s emphasis on enforcement, particularly regarding sanctions on Iran and Russia, arguing that past administrations had failed to follow through effectively. In contrast, he believes the current leadership is more serious about making those sanctions count, which could reshape global energy dynamics.