Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(New York, New York) – Sports commentator and media personality Stephen A. Smith issued a blunt warning about the future of the Democratic Party during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
Smith said that if progressive figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani were to take control of the Democratic Party, the consequences would be severe.
“If AOC, and Mamdani… take over the Democratic Party… The Democratic Party is toast. Or America is,” Smith said during the interview.
The longtime ESPN personality has increasingly weighed in on national politics in recent years, often positioning himself as a centrist critic of both parties. His comments on Rogan’s podcast reflect broader debates within Democratic circles over the party’s direction heading into future elections.
Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as one of the most prominent progressive voices in Congress, while Mamdani has drawn national attention since becoming mayor of New York City. Both have advocated for policies aligned with the party’s progressive wing, including expanded social programs and structural reforms.
Smith did not elaborate extensively on specific policies during the clip circulating online, but his remarks quickly sparked discussion across social media, with supporters applauding his candor and critics accusing him of fearmongering.
