During a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Kamala Harris offered candid insights into her decision to step away from the traditional political path, coinciding with the announcement of her upcoming memoir, “107 Days,” which reflects on the 2024 presidential election. Her conversation with Stephen Colbert provided a rare glimpse into her perspective on the current state of American governance and her personal reflections post-political campaign.

When questioned by Colbert about her reasons for not pursuing the California governorship, the prominent political figure stated unequivocally, “I don’t want to go back in the system. I think it’s broken.” This stark declaration underscored a profound disillusionment with the established political framework, signaling a desire for a different approach to public service and engagement beyond conventional office-seeking.

Harris elaborated on her evolving views regarding the resilience of democratic institutions, articulating a newfound skepticism. She confessed, “I always believed that as fragile as our democracy is our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles, and I think right now that they’re not as strong as they need to be.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among many about the challenges facing the United States’ political system.

Instead of re-entering a “broken system,” Harris expressed a clear intention to dedicate her time to grassroots engagement. “I want to travel the country, I want to listen to people, I want to talk with people and I don’t want it to be transactional where I’m asking for their vote,” she explained, highlighting a shift towards more authentic, non-electoral forms of connection with the American populace.

The interview also touched upon the personal aftermath of her previous political endeavors. When Colbert inquired about the duration it took for her to re-engage with political news after her defeat, Harris responded with a poignant brevity: “Months. I’m not into self-mutilation.” She also largely avoided discussing President Biden’s decision to step down from the campaign, choosing not to “pile on” during what she described as a difficult period for the campaign.

Colbert pressed Harris on whether she felt vindicated by her prior warnings about a Trump presidency. While acknowledging, “I did predict a lot of it,” she admitted to being blindsided by one particular aspect: “But what I did not predict was the capitulation. There are many who consider themselves to be guardians of our system and our democracy who capitulated, and I didn’t I didn’t see that coming.” This unexpected betrayal of principles seemed to deeply affect her outlook on the political landscape.

Beyond the political discussion, the segment naturally segued into the impending conclusion of “The Late Show.” CBS has maintained that the decision to end the show’s eleven-season run in May 2026 was purely financial. However, critics have often speculated that the move might be politically motivated, possibly to appease certain factions or facilitate corporate mergers, adding another layer of complexity to the entertainment and political spheres.

Colbert himself addressed the show’s legacy, emphasizing its role in shaping viewers’ emotions rather than altering political outcomes. “We here at ‘The Late Show’ never saw our job as changing anything other than how you felt at the end of the day,” he remarked. He thoughtfully transitioned from heavy topics by introducing musical guests “Weird Al” Yankovic and Lin-Manuel Miranda, opting for a lighter, more uplifting end to the show.

The program concluded with a celebrity-filled “kiss-cam” parody, featuring a surprising array of late-night rivals and notable personalities. This included appearances by various figures from NBC, CNN, HBO, and Comedy Central, alongside actors like Adam Sandler. The event provided a humorous and unifying moment, demonstrating solidarity among television personalities in the wake of “The Late Show’s” announced end, further cementing its place in television history and popular culture.