Another unqualified TV personality is throwing his hat into the presidential race.
During Tuesday’s TNT post-game show, Shaquille O’Neal’s phone decided to reveal his interest beyond basketball. His device’s voice assistant interrupted the conversation to say, “It should be a layup for any politician.”
“Sorry about that. It should be a layup for any politician,” Shaq said as he and the crew laughed. “I like politics during the break.”
Adam Lefkoe jokingly asked The Big Aristotle if he’s running for office. O’Neal said yes, leading the host to inquire if the Hall of Fame center will campaign with or against Stephen A. Smith.
“Oh no, Stephen A. will be working for me,” Shaq said. “I’m El Presidente. He can be Vice Presidente.”
Smith has spent months insisting that he doesn’t want to run for president despite repeatedly bringing up the idea and suggesting that he might.
The ESPN pundit recently said he’d consider tabling conversations about the Dallas Cowboys and LeBron James to lead the United States of America despite having zero experience or political background beyond shouting about it.
Smith insisted that elected officials and political strategists have urged him to run in 2028.
“People have legitimately, seriously, asked me about it. I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door,” Smith said. “I’m gonna keep my options open.
I’m going to entertain the possibility. If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe … that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States. I am not going to rule it out.”

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 9: Shaquille O’Neal looks on after the game between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 9, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images
Well, Shaq running for president wouldn’t be any less absurd.
The four-time NBA champion visited the White House frequently during the George W. Bush administration, so at least O’Neal may have more familiarity with the nation’s capital than Smith.
And while he may not want to give up Inside The NBA and his numerous sponsorship deals, the nation is already overlooking presidential conflicts of interest.
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