ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is now reportedly raising concerns about the growing influence of democratic socialists within the Democratic Party, questioning whether the movement’s momentum in New York City could ultimately become a political liability nationwide.
Speaking Monday on his Straight Shooter podcast, Smith reflected on the recent victories by socialist-backed candidates in New York City and asked whether the party’s leftward shift would resonate with voters beyond deep-blue urban areas.
“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 sports commentator-turned-political commentator questioned whether socialist policies could gain broad support in a country built around a capitalist economy.
“Where has socialism ever succeeded? If so, tell us where that is. How you going to sell that in a capitalistic society?” Smith asked. “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 argued that while democratic socialist candidates may find success within Democratic primaries, the same message could prove far less effective in a national general election.
“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,” he said.
Smith’s comments followed a string of primary victories by three candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, who has become one of the country’s highest-profile democratic socialists.
Two of the winning candidates, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, are members of the Democratic Socialists of America, the same organization as Mamdani.
The third candidate, Brad Lander, is a former Democratic Socialists of America member who left the organization following its response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. Despite leaving the group, Lander secured Mamdani’s endorsement after running on a platform that was more critical of Israel than incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. Lander has said that American support for Israel made the United States “complicit in genocide.”
Beyond their shared socialist views, all three candidates also agree with Mamdani that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished.
The election results have prompted mixed reactions among Democrats. While Mamdani celebrated the victories on election night and in interviews later in the week, some establishment Democrats reportedly expressed concern about what the victories could mean for the party’s future.
According to the report, one centrist House Democrat described 2027 as likely to be a “headache” for the party if the candidates join Congress, while another House Democrat reacted to the sweep by saying, “Holy sh*t.”
Criticism also came from outside the party’s progressive wing. Bill Maher argued Democrats would “blow” the midterm elections if they embraced what he called the party’s “crazy” socialists. Democratic strategist James Carville likewise urged congressional Democrats to distance themselves from socialist candidates who enter Congress.
President Donald Trump also weighed in, initially congratulating Mamdani sarcastically for helping elect “3 solid Communists.” Later in the week, Trump warned that communists had begun making “their move” in the United States.
“The game is on,” Trump said. “Enjoy watching!”
