Stephen A. Smith hopes Trump loses, fears ‘vengeance tour’

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said he hopes former President Trump does not regain the White House in November.

“I don’t want Donald Trump to win this election,” Smith said on a Wednesday episode of his podcast, highlighted by Mediaite. “Strictly because he doesn’t know how to act. I’m fearful he will be on a vengeance tour. I think he’s somebody that would go about the business of picking people who are loyal to him, as opposed to who’s best for America.”

Smith had criticized Democrats in January for having President Biden as their figurehead to take on Trump.

Biden announced he was leaving the presidential race late last month after concerns about his age, mental fitness and ability to recapture the presidency rose dramatically in the wake of a bad presidential debate performance. He then endorsed Vice President Harris, who has now risen to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket.

“And essentially, I think that he’s so narcissistic, that he endangers us,” Smith said of Trump. “It’s just that simple to me.”

“But that doesn’t mean we get to let the vice president of the United States off the hook,” Smith continued. “Because she is the vice president. She’s gonna get my vote. I’m rooting for her. And in no way am I being critical of her strategy thus far.”

However, Smith questioned Harris for her recent lack of engagement with the press.

“What are you doing avoiding interviews?” Smith said. “What are you doing, using pep rallies as press conferences? Or one-on-one sit-downs?”

Harris said last week she wants to do an extended interview before August ends.

“I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month,” Harris said.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump and Harris campaigns.