Stephen A. Smith: Losing Out on the Bills Led to Trump’s Presidential Run
By Mike Florio – June 10, 2025
Almost exactly a decade ago, Donald Trump descended that now-iconic golden escalator and launched a political movement that changed the course of American politics. According to Stephen A. Smith, that moment might never have happened if Trump had succeeded in buying an NFL team.
Appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Monday night, Smith claimed that Trump’s political ambitions were born out of frustration after failing to purchase the Buffalo Bills in 2014.
“He tried to buy the Bills for $1.4 billion,” Smith said. “But from what I was told, he only had $1.1 billion. In fact, he called me personally that year and said — and I quote — ‘If those motherfuckers block me, I’m getting back at all of them. I’m running for president.’”
Smith joked that people around the NFL sometimes tell him, “So it’s our fault,” to which he responds, “Yeah.”
Jon Stewart turned the moment into a plea to the viewers: “Buffalo, please — just give him the damn team. Save us all.”
Smith further explained Trump’s outlook at the time. Trump felt he deserved the team because of his fame and wealth, while the NFL owners simply believed he didn’t offer enough. Ultimately, Terry and Kim Pegula submitted a stronger bid and won the team.
Smith summed up Trump’s stance as: “I’m rich and famous — I should get what I want.” The NFL’s response: “You didn’t have enough money.”
And so, Trump didn’t become an NFL owner. Instead, in a parallel universe, he might be complaining to sports media about league decisions instead of reshaping the political landscape.
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