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“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert said he “absolutely” should not be a presidential candidate in 2028 when asked about it earlier this month.
“Yes, I absolutely should not run for president,” Colbert said at Slate's “Political Gabfest” event on December 18, though she added, “I understand why you would want me to.”
After his initial response, he satirically commented that he would need to speak with his family and religious leader after his program ends to determine if he would be called to “greater service to this nation.”
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“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during the show on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
“Because what I believe is humanity's last best hope and if there is anything I can do to further the mission of our Founding Fathers whose love of liberty and belief in the rights of man resides in my heart like the blood in my veins and strength in my arms. Why, who am I to say I should run? But if I hear the call obviously from the Lord…” Colbert said, before the crowd began chanting his name.
His fellow panelists, former CBS News anchor John Dickerson and New York Times staff writer Emily Bazelon, agreed with his original comment, with Bazelon calling the idea “miserable.”
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Stephen Colbert had previously launched mock presidential campaigns in 2007 and 2012. (CBS/Getty Photo File)
Colbert previously ran for president as a Democrat in 2007 under the guise of his “Colbert Report” caricature. Although he paid the $2,500 fee to be placed on the South Carolina Democratic Primary ballot, the South Carolina Democratic Primary Executive Council rejected his application, believing he was not a serious candidate.
Colbert also floated the idea of running again on his show in 2012 and launched a committee to run for president in South Carolina. However, he missed the deadline to include his name on the ballot.
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Stephen Colbert's “Late Show” will end in May 2026. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
During the “Gabfest” event, Colbert also hugged Dickerson after it was noted that he had given his last broadcast for the “CBS Evening News.” After hugging Dickerson, Colbert raised his middle finger in the air.
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CBS announced in July that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would air its final episode in May 2026.
