Stephen A. Smith is warning Democrats that their growing embrace of democratic socialism could come at a steep political price — one that hands Republicans the White House in 2028.
The ESPN star and increasingly outspoken political commentator used the latest episode of his “Straight Shooter” podcast to question whether New York City’s recent socialist victories represent the future of the Democratic Party — or the beginning of a major electoral problem.
“If you’re a Democrat, particularly in New York City, Zohran Mamdani is coming. And if he’s coming, what does that mean for the rest of America? Because I got questions,” Smith said.
The comments came just days after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated a string of primary victories by three progressive allies, signaling that the Democratic Socialists of America and the party’s left flank continue to gain influence in the nation’s largest city.
But Smith argued that what may play well with New York City’s progressive base could prove disastrous in a national election.
“Where has socialism ever succeeded? If so, tell us where that is,” Smith said. “How you going to sell that in a capitalistic society? You might do it in New York with young voters — what about the people in the suburbs? What about them? You really, really think this kind of message is going to resonate with them?”
Smith said Democrats should be asking themselves whether they are winning internal ideological battles at the expense of general election voters.
“What we’re talking about is this: if it resonates within the Democratic Party, but it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance [in hell] of resonating in a general election, then you’re basically handing the presidency to the GOP in 2028 as well. That’s what you’re doing.”
Socialist Victories Spark Democrat Anxiety
Smith’s warning follows a wave of socialist-backed primary wins in New York City.
Two victorious candidates — Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez — are members of the Democratic Socialists of America, the same organization as Mamdani. A third winner, Brad Lander, previously belonged to the DSA before leaving the organization following its response to Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack against Israel.
Lander nevertheless earned Mamdani’s endorsement after running to the left of incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Israel policy. He has argued that continued U.S. support for Israel has made America “complicit in genocide.”
All three candidates have also backed abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), another position championed by Mamdani.
The victories thrilled progressives but unsettled many establishment Democrats. According to Axios, one centrist House Democrat predicted the incoming lawmakers would create a “headache” for the party, while another responded to the election results with a blunt: “Holy sh*t.”
Carville: Not Everyone Belongs in the Democratic Tent
Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has emerged as one of the party’s most vocal critics of its socialist wing.
Following the New York primaries, Carville argued that Democrats should stop trying to accommodate every faction of the party and suggested some candidates simply do not belong under the Democratic banner.
He has repeatedly warned that candidates openly embracing democratic socialism risk alienating the moderate and suburban voters Democrats need to win competitive statewide races and presidential elections. Carville has urged congressional Democrats to distance themselves from socialist candidates rather than allowing them to define the party’s national image.
Political commentator Bill Maher has voiced similar concerns, warning that Democrats could “blow” future elections if they continue embracing what he called the party’s “crazy” left-wing fringe.
Republicans See an Opportunity
Republicans have wasted little time seizing on the Democratic divide.
President Donald Trump mocked the New York results by congratulating Mamdani on electing “3 solid Communists” before later warning that the ideological shift represented something much larger.
“The game is on,” Trump wrote. “Enjoy watching!”
Whether Democrats ultimately embrace or reject the party’s growing socialist wing could become one of the defining political questions heading into the 2028 presidential race.
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