Harris to appear on Colbert show for first post-election interview

CBS announced Thursday that former Vice President Kamala Harris would appear with Late Show host Stephen Colbert , just two weeks after the network announced that the show would be canceled. Harris' appearance with Colbert marks her first post-election interview since she lost the 2024 race to Donald Trump .

The former vice president announced Thursday she would publish a memoir of the presidential race on September 23, 2025, just a day after she revealed she would not run for governor of California . Harris' interview appears to be another attempt to refurbish her image after her historically short and failed 2024 presidential campaign as well as jumpstart media buzz about her forthcoming memoir titled '107 Days.'

The decision to appear on the Colbert takes additional political significance as critics of the merger between Skydance and CBS suggested that the decision to cancel Colbert's program was to placate the president, who has taken issue with Colbert's comedy . Colbert has hosted Harris on his show seven times, beginning in 2018 when she was a senator exploring a run for president.

Harris famously performed the 'Wakanda Forever' salute from the movie Black Panther Marvel movie, for the show, in a parody campaign ad running for a senator of the fictional land of Wakanda.

Colbert also chugged a beer with Harris on the show in October 2024, as he spoke about the importance of selling the image of being a relatable candidate. 'The champagne of beers!' Harris laughed as she swigged a Miller High Life on the set of the show.

The book release, together with the interview with Colbert and her decision not to run for governor of California sparked speculation she was may be taking steps toward another run for president in 2028 . In her book announcement, Harris reflected on her campaign as 'the shortest presidential campaign in modern history,' slyly suggesting the defeat did not lay at her feet alone.

'What the world saw on the campaign trail was only part of the story,' Harris wrote on social media announcing her book as a 'behind-the-scenes look' at her campaign. 'Since leaving office, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on those days, talking with my team, my family and friends, and pulling my thoughts together. In essence, writing a journal that is in this book,' she said.

Harris said the book would be filled with 'candor and reflection' about the race that kicked off after former President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection campaign after a disastrous debate performance. 'It was intense, high stakes and deeply personal for me and for so many of you,' she said. Many national Democrats privately thought that Harris should run for the state position, given the crowded competition she'd likely face in a 2028 presidential run.

Stung by Trump's return to power, rank-and-file Democrats across the country will again be focused on electability as they browse for their next standard-bearer. Historically, Democrats have been merciless in discarding previous presidential nominees who have fallen short. Nominees Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Al Gore never ran for office again after their losses.

Harris' statement indicated she would not pursue elected office 'for now,' leaving the door wide open for a campaign in 2028. In the meantime, she'll test her political aptitude in upcoming smaller races across the country. 'For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office,' she wrote.

'I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.'