Stephen Colbert is leaving his late-night talk show for good in May. CBS canceled The Late Show amid financial trouble. There has been a lot of chatter online about what the host will do next. He responded to the rumors by teasing a presidential run. Keep reading to find out more.
Late Show Going Out With A Bang
May 21, 2026, will be the end of an era. The Late Show airs its final episode after 33 years. The show began in 1993 with David Letterman as host. CBS snatched the comedian up after NBC passed him over to host The Tonight Show. Letterman retired in 2015. Stephen Colbert, who gained a following on Comedy Central, took over that same year.
Now, a decade later, he’s wrapping up his run. While the show’s cancellation was called a financial move, a lot of fans think it was retaliation for Stephen Colbert’s constant digs at President Trump.
Despite the cancellation, Stephen Colbert hasn’t lightened up on the criticism. If anything, he’s doubled down. One of his final guests is former President Barack Obama. Could the talk show host be the President himself one day?
Stephen Colbert Teases Presidential Run After Talk Show Ends
Donald Trump’s second term as President ends in January 2029. The 2028 election is still years away, but possible candidates are already planning their campaigns. Some have even suggested that Stephen Colbert make a run for the country’s highest office.
His next move after the Late Show is a huge question mark, leaving fans to speculate and offer suggestions. Another rumor is that Stephen Colbert could join his pal Anderson Cooper at CNN. However, CNN is on the verge of being owned by Paramount Skydance if the merger with Warner Bros. Discovery goes through. Paramount Skydance, which also owns CBS, made the decision to cancel The Late Show.
“I’ve heard a lot of theories — everything from I’m moving to CNN to I’m announcing a massive wildlife rescue program to I’m running for president of the United States,” Stephen Colbert said on Thursday’s show.
“I can reveal right now that all of those are partially true,” he teased. The talk show host previously announced plans to write a Lord of the Rings film with his son. But is he serious about a run for President?
“Next year, I will be president of an animal sanctuary dedicated to caring for the rare Blitzer Wolf,” he joked about his next gig, name-dropping CNN’s popular host.
Would He Get Enough Votes?
Stephen Colbert may be joking about a Presidential bid, but his fans aren’t. They took to the comments on the Instagram post to share their reactions:
- “President Colbert. VP Barack Obama”
- “STEPHEN COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT”
“I would vote for him.” - “COLBERT/STEWART 2028!!!!”
- “Please run for President!”
Whether he goes to another network or even runs for President, Stephen Colbert will likely stay in the public eye after his late-night show ends. Tell us in the comments what you think his next move should be.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
