Stephen A. Smith Highlights Democratic Leaders on Fox News

On Thursday, Stephen A. Smith praised Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as standout leaders for the Democratic Party during an appearance on The Will Cain Show.

Smith expressed strong support for Moore, countering skepticism regarding his potential. He described Moore as an exemplary candidate for Democratic leadership, pushing back against the notion that the party’s dynamic is best represented by more left-leaning figures, particularly addressing New York City hopeful Zohran Mamdani.

“I think Wes Moore is the ideal candidate. Perhaps you’re underestimating him, and I don’t believe his interview should define who he is or represent,” Smith remarked. He went on to mention Shapiro as a similar figure in leadership.

Smith also gave his views on the ongoing political landscape. He said, “I hope Andrew Cuomo can gain more traction and prevent Mamdani from winning the mayoral seat in New York City. Personally, I’m not a fan of Mamdani’s proposals. He’s a known socialist and unapologetic about it. While that doesn’t bother me, I stand firmly as a capitalist. This is America, after all.”

Despite Smith labeling Moore as the “ideal candidate,” there was some controversy surrounding Moore’s military record. He mistakenly claimed in his 2006 White House Fellowship application to have received the “Maryland College Football Hall of Fame Award” along with a Bronze Star. Moore later acknowledged the inaccuracies, criticized critics for using the issue to attack his military credentials, and expressed regret for not correcting the details sooner.

Moore has faced scrutiny on multiple occasions, including misrepresentations during interviews with Gwen Ifill and Stephen Colbert, where he was introduced as a Bronze Star recipient without clarification. Recently, backlash arose after he was seen enjoying time on George Clooney’s yacht in Italy, with Clooney previously endorsing him as a potential presidential candidate.

Shapiro has received criticism as well, particularly regarding his support for Israel and how his office managed sexual harassment complaints involving a former aide. When questioned about a potential presidential run in 2028 during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Shapiro admitted he wasn’t an expert on Washington politics.