Late-night television host Stephen Colbert, a longtime liberal activist and outspoken critic of conservatives, dismissed the idea of running for president in 2028 during a recent public appearance — though not without indulging in extended theatrics.
“Yeah, I absolutely should not run for president,” Colbert said Dec. 18 at Slate’s Political Gabfest event. He quickly followed up by adding, “I understand why you’d want me to,” prompting laughter from the left-leaning audience.
Colbert, who has built his post-Comedy Central career on mocking Republicans, Christians, and President Donald Trump, then pivoted into a characteristically exaggerated monologue. In a satirical tone, he said he would need to consult his family and his faith leader after his show ends to see whether he might be called to “greater service to this nation.”
“Because what I believe is America’s the last best hope of mankind and if there’s anything I can do to forward the mission of our Founding Fathers whose love of freedom and belief in the rights of man abides in my heart like the very blood in my veins and the strength in my arms,” Colbert said, continuing, “Why, who am I to say that I should run? But if I hear the call obviously of the Lord…”
The crowd responded by chanting Colbert’s name, underscoring the degree to which celebrity culture continues to blur the line between entertainment and politics — particularly on the left.
His fellow panelists, former CBS News anchor John Dickerson and New York Times staff writer Emily Bazelon, appeared less amused. Bazelon agreed with Colbert’s initial assessment, calling the prospect of a Colbert candidacy “miserable.”
Colbert’s comments revive memories of his previous flirtations with electoral politics. In 2007, while hosting The Colbert Report, he announced a mock presidential run as a Democrat, playing up his on-air persona. Despite paying a $2,500 filing fee to appear on the South Carolina Democratic primary ballot, party officials rejected his application, concluding he was not a serious candidate.
He floated a similar idea again in 2012, forming a committee to run in South Carolina, though he ultimately missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot.
During the Gabfest event, Colbert also embraced Dickerson after it was noted that Dickerson had delivered his final broadcast for CBS Evening News. Following the hug, Colbert raised his middle finger — a gesture that drew applause but also reinforced criticism from conservatives who argue that late-night hosts routinely cross professional and cultural lines without consequence.
CBS announced in July that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final episode in May 2026, ending a run marked by aggressive political commentary that often mirrored Democrat Party talking points. Colbert’s exit comes as network television continues to lose viewers, particularly among middle-America audiences who have increasingly turned away from politically charged entertainment.
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Run for comedy
You have got to be kidding!!!! He wasn’t interesting as a late night host. I place him in the same category as Gavin Newsom — terrible for America.