ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said Thursday that Republican Representative Byron Donalds of Florida could potentially make him a Republican, offering high praise for the Trump-backed gubernatorial frontrunner just days before Florida Republicans choose their nominee to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis.
“And I ain’t no d— Republican. But that mean if anybody could make me one, it would be him. I’m just going to keep it a buck. I’m just letting you know,” Smith said on his podcast. Smith described Donalds as “the real deal,” adding that he talks to Donalds all the time and has observed him battling with people on different shows.
Primary Stakes and Polling in Florida
The praise arrives as Florida Republicans prepare to select their gubernatorial candidate. A James Madison Institute poll released August 6 placed Donalds at 49% among likely GOP primary voters, giving him a 31-point lead over Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. The field also includes former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and investor James Fishback. Governor Ron DeSantis, who won re-election in a landslide in 2022, is barred from running for a third term and has withheld an endorsement from the primary race.
Donalds’ financial standing in the race is substantial, with his campaign raising more than $90 million. A campaign communications director, Gates McGavick, confirmed to Fox News Digital that Smith and Donalds are friends. McGavick noted that Donalds is drawing support across demographic groups by concentrating on public safety and affordability. “He is building a broad coalition that puts common sense over crazy to lead Florida into the future,” McGavick said.
A GOP source speaking to Fox News Digital emphasized the weight of former President Donald Trump’s backing in the contest. “Donalds is endorsed by POTUS and we fully expect him to win the primary,” the source stated.
Shifting Political Alignments
Smith’s comments highlight his growing openness to Republican candidates. During the podcast exchange, Smith pressed Donalds on Black voters’ skepticism toward Donald Trump and questioned the congressman’s close alignment with the former president. At the same time, Smith expressed frustration with the Democratic Party, stating he had lost interest in them “in a lot of different ways.”
“You heard me ask that question. I ain’t apologizing for it. I’m very skeptical about them,” Smith said regarding Democrats. The sports media personality previously challenged Democrats in March to actively earn Black votes rather than treat them as guaranteed.
The Debate Over Verification
Responding to Smith’s inquiry regarding skepticism among Black voters, Donalds urged the electorate to evaluate political figures based on tangible results and policy rather than comfort levels or social media commentary.
“It’s something that I acknowledge. I would challenge Black people in America. First of all, this ain’t even about trust. It’s about verification,” Donalds said. “We’ve had people on both sides of the aisle promise Black people everything until the cows come home. But it’s really about, are you going to verify the promises, and verify what the policies actually do, or are you just going to trust it because you have comfort level with a certain politician.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Smith for comment following the broadcast but did not receive an immediate response.
