Speculation is swirling around Stephen Colbert, the charismatic host of The Late Show, following a cryptic remark that has sparked rumors of a potential U.S. Senate candidacy in his home state of South Carolina. The 61-year-old comedian, celebrated for his biting satire and relentless critiques of former President Donald Trump, dropped a tantalizing hint during a recent monologue, sending social media into a frenzy. With The Late Show facing cancellation by CBS in May 2026—amid a controversial $16 million settlement between its parent company, Paramount Global, and Trump—many are wondering if Colbert is plotting a dramatic pivot from late-night television to Capitol Hill. Could this be a calculated move to challenge Trump’s political influence, particularly through a showdown with Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally, in the 2026 midterms? While the rumors are captivating, concrete evidence remains scarce.

The buzz began on July 17, when Colbert delivered an emotional monologue addressing the impending end of The Late Show. “I found out just last night that next year will be our last season,” he told his audience, his tone a mix of somber reflection and defiance. But it was a seemingly offhand comment later in the segment that lit the fuse: “Who knows? Maybe I’ll give it a try,” he said in response to a question about entering politics. The remark, captured in a viral YouTube clip that has garnered nearly 1.7 million views, exploded across platforms like TikTok, where a post captioned “Stephen Colbert’s 3 secret plans will turn CBS into a joke” fueled speculation that he’s eyeing South Carolina’s Senate seat, currently held by Republican Lindsey Graham.

Colbert, a Charleston native with deep roots in South Carolina, has long woven his home state’s culture into his comedy, making the idea of a Senate run there both plausible and electrifying. Social media platforms, particularly X, have erupted with hashtags like #ColbertForSenate and #TrumpVsColbert, with users speculating that this could be Colbert’s bold response to Trump’s public gloating over The Late Show’s cancellation. Trump, in a Truth Social post, called Colbert “untalented” and celebrated the show’s demise, predicting similar fates for other late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Colbert fired back on July 21 with a signature quip: “Cancel culture has gone too far,” he said, before delivering a bleeped-out “Go f— yourself” to Trump via his “Eloquence Cam,” earning thunderous applause from his audience.

The timing of these events has only intensified the speculation. The cancellation announcement came shortly after Colbert criticized Paramount Global’s settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The $16 million deal has raised eyebrows, with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy questioning whether it reflects political pressure from Trump’s administration. Warren described it as potential “bribery in plain sight,” while Colbert himself dismissed claims that the cancellation was purely financial, noting that The Late Show leads late-night ratings with 2.42 million viewers in Q2 2025, surpassing competitors like Kimmel and Fallon. “How could it be purely a financial decision if we’re No. 1?” he asked pointedly, fueling theories that his outspoken criticism of Trump may have contributed to the decision.

The prospect of Colbert challenging Graham, a staunch Trump supporter, has galvanized fans and political observers alike. A viral petition on MoveOn.org, urging Colbert to run, has collected thousands of signatures, with supporters arguing that his wit, name recognition, and progressive credentials could shake up South Carolina’s conservative political landscape. “He’d turn C-SPAN into must-watch TV,” one supporter wrote on Medium, while another X user enthused, “Imagine Colbert roasting Trump in congressional hearings!” The petition emphasizes Colbert’s South Carolina roots and his ability to skewer political figures, positioning him as a candidate who could “flip the Senate” and deliver a symbolic blow to Trump’s influence.

Colbert’s history of flirting with politics adds fuel to the fire. In 2012, he launched a satirical exploratory committee for a presidential run in South Carolina, a stunt that showcased his flair for political theater. His Colbert Report persona, a parody of conservative pundits, earned him a loyal following among progressives and demonstrated his ability to critique figures like Trump with razor-sharp precision. A 2015 poll even showed Colbert outpacing traditional candidates for a South Carolina Senate seat, suggesting he could have genuine electoral appeal. Recent comments about drawing inspiration from Conan O’Brien’s resilience after his own cancellation have led some to see a roadmap for Colbert’s potential pivot to public office.

Social media has amplified the narrative, with a July 29 X post claiming, “Stephen Colbert is rumored to be looking to run against Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat,” sparking thousands of retweets. Fans envision him leveraging his platform to rally Democrats in a red state, using his comedic charm to challenge Graham, whose seat is up in 2026. “Colbert could make Trump’s life hell from the Senate,” one Reddit user wrote, while another called it “the ultimate middle finger to CBS and Trump.” The idea of Colbert swapping punchlines for policy debates has captured the imagination of his base, who see him as uniquely equipped to confront Trump’s political machine.

However, skeptics urge caution. No major outlet, from Bing to Yahoo, has confirmed Colbert’s intent to run, and his comment could easily be interpreted as a jest in keeping with his comedic persona. Critics argue that a Senate campaign would be a dramatic departure for a man who has thrived in entertainment, not politics. “Colbert should stick to comedy,” David Bossie of Citizens United told Politico in 2015, a view echoed by some today who question whether Colbert could navigate South Carolina’s conservative electorate. His wife, Evie, reportedly opposed a previous political stunt, which could complicate a serious bid.

The Trump connection adds another layer of intrigue. Colbert has been a vocal critic since hosting Trump on The Late Show in 2015, later vowing never to invite him back due to his disrespect for the presidency. His recent monologues, including one calling the Paramount settlement a “big fat bribe,” suggest a personal animus that a Senate run could amplify. Yet, some observers believe the rumor is more about generating buzz than signaling a genuine campaign. “He’s milking the drama,” a New York Times columnist speculated, suggesting Colbert is keeping his audience engaged as his show approaches its end.

Supporters, however, see a viable candidate in Colbert. His ability to connect with audiences, his history of political activism—including testifying before Congress in 2010 on immigration—and his network of influential allies, including late-night hosts like Jon Stewart and John Oliver, bolster his credentials. Stewart and Oliver recently appeared on The Late Show to show solidarity post-cancellation, hinting at the broader influence Colbert could wield in a political campaign.

For now, the Senate run remains an unconfirmed rumor—a tantalizing possibility that has captivated fans and alarmed Trump’s allies. Whether Colbert is seriously contemplating a political leap or simply playing to his audience’s love for drama, the idea of him trading his late-night desk for a Senate seat is a storyline that resonates. As one X post put it, “Colbert in the Senate would be Trump’s worst fever dream.” Whether driven by ambition or a desire to keep the spotlight, Colbert’s next move promises to keep the world watching.