Dave Portnoy Rules Out Political Run, Cites Safety Concerns After Charlie Kirk Shooting

Dave Portnoy says he won’t run for office

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and a prominent social media personality known for sports commentary and pizza reviews, told CBS Sunday Morning that he has no interest in entering politics.

“I mean, who the heck would want to get into politics anyways?” Portnoy said. “People always ask me that. It’s like, what are you, crazy? You can get more done as a private citizen. Everyone just hates your guts.”

Portnoy described most elected officials in blunt terms — saying “99 percent of politicians are scumbags” — and explained that a major reason he would avoid public office is fear of political violence. He cited the high-profile shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, along with attacks on public figures such as former President Donald Trump, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as evidence of a dangerous climate.

“Look at what happened to Charlie Kirk. Serious stuff. Like, I don’t want that in my life. I like my life.”

After Kirk was shot in September, Portnoy said the wider political climate — and the divisiveness surrounding figures like Trump — helped create conditions for violence. “Politics definitely has a huge part in it. Trump… I don’t necessarily mean he’s to blame for it, but he’s so divisive,” Portnoy said, adding that intense polarization can inflame people against public figures.

Portnoy, who has identified himself as a three-time voter for Donald Trump, also criticized some Democrats, describing them as out of step with "normal" voters and quoting remarks he says he hears from people who feel unfairly targeted by historical grievances or political rhetoric. “You had a candidate basically calling you a deplorable… it felt like that,” he said of the tone during past campaigns.

Past controversies and his response

Portnoy’s career has been marked by controversies over sexist and racially insensitive remarks: he has previously called a woman a “f—ing slut” and mocked former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem. He has often defended those comments as jokes or taken out of context.

“I object strenuously to that,” Portnoy said of how critics portray him. “I feel like virtually every single criticism — and some of ’em are brutal — have context around them that a fair-minded person, if they looked at the evidence, would be like, ‘What they’re saying about him’s just not true.’ But once it’s said, it will never go away.”

Ultimately, Portnoy reiterated that he prefers life outside elected office, believing he can be more effective and avoid the personal risks that accompany high-profile political roles.