“I understand why you’d want me to,” the ‘Late Show’ host said when asked about running for president in the upcoming election.

Stephen Colbert Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

Stephen Colbert revealed whether he’d consider running for president in 2028 following the cancellation of The Late Show.

The late night host, 61, offered his thoughts on a possible presidential run while appearing at Slate’s Political Gabfest event on Dec. 18, according to People. Event hosts John Dickerson, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz asked Colbert if a 2028 run was in his future, to which Colbert replied, “Absolutely, I should not run for president.”

“I understand why you’d want me to,” he continued. “I’d have to discuss with my faith leader and my family to see if, once my service on the Late Show ends in May, if I could be of some greater service to this nation that I love so much.”

Colbert also shared an embrace with Dickerson, 57, who signed off as co-anchor of CBS Evening News that same day. The Late Show host gave Dickerson a hug before turning to the audience and putting up his middle finger in what appeared to be a move directed at CBS, People reported.

CBS canceled The Late Show in July, citing financial concerns “against a challenging backdrop in late night.” Colbert questioned the network’s decision earlier this month after Paramount  — CBS’ parent company — launched a hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for $108.4 billion, or $30 per share.

“Wow. I gotta say, if my company’s got that kind of green, I’m sure they can afford to un-cancel one of their best shows,” Colbert said during a Dec. 9 episode. “CBS, you heard the people — bring back The Equalizer.”

The comedian has not shared what he wants to pursue next after The Late Show ends in May. He told reporters at the 2025 Emmys in September that he is focused on wrapping up the show as “beautifully” as he can, according t

“I’m going to savor every day,” he said at the time. “I want to land this plane absolutely beautifully and I’ve got nothing else on my mind. I love what we do, and I want to go to work on Tuesday and for the next nine months with these people and work hard to have fun.”

“We do the show with each other,” he continued. “We do the show for each other, every day. And I have the privilege and responsibility that day to share with the audience what we did. And I love it.”