Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Interview with Vice President Kamala Harris: A Candid Conversation

Stephen Colbert kicked off another episode of The Late Show with a return guest who has been a part of the political landscape for years — Vice President Kamala Harris. With the audience applauding her entrance, Colbert greeted her warmly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my guest tonight was Vice President of the United States. Please welcome her back to the Late Show, Vice President Kamala Harris.”

After the applause died down, Colbert jumped right in.

“It’s great to be here.”
Harris replied, flashing a smile. “First of all, you look rested.”

The audience laughed as Colbert lightheartedly quipped:

“I’m happy for you.”

The conversation took a more personal tone as they began to catch up, and Colbert couldn’t help but ask how Harris was doing after leaving office.

“How you doing?”
“Well, oh, I’m fine. I’ll get plenty of rest in June.”

Breaking Away from Politics: Harris Reflects

Colbert leaned in, intrigued by her decision to step away from the political spotlight for a while. He asked:

“Once you left office, how long before you turned on the news again?”

Harris, never one to shy away from humor, responded bluntly.

“Months. I’m just not into self-mutilation. I just… I um, yeah, lots of cooking shows. Great British Bake Off and stuff like that.”

The audience chuckled, and Harris leaned into the lighthearted moment.

“Kitchen is one of my favorites. Amazing.”

A Personal Touch: Harris Talks About Doug

Colbert shifted the conversation to Harris’s personal life, asking the question that everyone was curious about:

“How’s Doug?”

“He’s really well. He’s back practicing law and he’s great. Thank you for asking,” Harris responded, her voice full of warmth.

Colbert, with his signature humor, interjected with a smile:

“For a second, I thought you said he’s backpacking.”

“Oh well, he’s in the Himalayas. He hasn’t turned on the news yet either,” Harris joked, prompting more laughter from the audience.

On January 6th and Facing a Constitutional Duty

The conversation turned to the events surrounding January 6, 2025, when Harris, as Vice President, was responsible for certifying the electoral votes. Colbert acknowledged the significance of that day.

“First of all, thank you for doing your constitutional duty without any question.”
Harris smiled and nodded.

Colbert continued with a more candid question:

“At any point as you’re counting, did you think, ‘Anybody want to storm the Capitol? Anybody?’”
The crowd chuckled, but Colbert quickly shifted to a more serious tone.

Harris responded with sincerity, acknowledging the weight of the moment.

“I was fully aware of what that moment required, not just of me, but of our country. It was a difficult day, no question about it. But what I talk about in the book is that drive to the Capitol, remembering what Mike Pence did, what our Constitution requires, and the importance of fulfilling those responsibilities.”

She paused, reflecting on the significance of the day in history.

Running for Governor: Harris Decides to Sit Out

Colbert then shifted the topic to Harris’s decision regarding the California governor’s race, asking why she decided not to run despite polling well ahead of the competition.

“You said you’re sitting this one out. Why? Are you saving yourself for a different office?”

Harris smiled, shaking her head.

“Honestly, people project their hopes onto you, but it’s more basic than that. I am a devout public servant, and I’ve spent my career serving the people. But right now, I don’t want to go back into the system. It’s broken, and there’s so much more we need to do outside of it.”

She continued, expressing her belief in the importance of a robust democracy, but that currently, she wasn’t prepared to re-enter the system.

“Our democracy is fragile, and our systems need to be stronger. I want to go out, listen to people, and remind them of their power—not ask for their vote.”

Harris Reflects on the 107 Days Campaign

The conversation turned to her campaign for president, which lasted only 107 days—a whirlwind, to say the least. Colbert wanted to know what she had learned from that short-lived campaign.

“What surprised you about those 107 days?” Colbert asked.

Harris reflected, revealing her thoughts on what it took to run for president and the people she met along the way.

“It was intense, but what was incredibly beautiful was seeing people from different walks of life come together. The commonality and the collective strength were reaffirming. We can’t let our spirits be defeated.”

The Fall of the Old Systems

At one point, the conversation took a more somber turn when Colbert mentioned the national mood and growing political discontent.

“What do you think about where we are now, with people feeling deflated and despondent?”
Harris responded with determination.

“We cannot give up on what can be better. Our government is for the people. We the people, and we need to remind them of that power.”

She added, noting how crucial it is to keep hope alive despite everything going on in the world.

Closing Thoughts: A Call to Action

Colbert wrapped up the conversation with a question on the state of leadership in the Democratic Party, which Harris answered with her characteristic clarity.

“There are many leaders in the party, but we all need to recognize that it’s not about one person. It’s on all of our shoulders.”

With a smile, Harris concluded her interview:

“You can never let anybody take your power from you.”

As the interview came to a close, Colbert expressed his admiration for Harris’s book, 107 Days—which is available September 23rd. The conversation left viewers with a message of resilience, hope, and the reminder that the fight for democracy is never over.