In a shocking turn of events, former Vice President Kamala Harris will be making a surprise, last-minute appearance tonight on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. This is despite the fact that she wasn’t initially scheduled to be on the show, and, as reports suggest, there are few people who are excited about her appearance — except, of course, for the Late Show team. This unexpected decision has left viewers and political observers wondering: why now, and what does it mean for her future political ambitions?

Just days before her surprise appearance on The Late Show, Harris made waves by announcing that she will be releasing a memoir about her brief 2024 presidential campaign. The book, titled 107 Days, will delve into her experience running for president and the obstacles she faced during that short-lived endeavor. In addition to this announcement, Harris also revealed that she would not be running for Governor of California in the state’s 2026 election. These two pieces of news, when taken together, have raised eyebrows and led political pundits to speculate that the former vice president might be laying the groundwork for a much larger, and more ambitious, goal: a presidential run in 2028.

The timing of Harris’ appearance on Colbert’s show seems to suggest that she is trying to position herself in the public eye for what could be a future campaign. This media blitz, coupled with the release of her memoir, suggests that Harris is subtly testing the waters to see if the American people — and more specifically, the Democratic Party — are ready to embrace her once again as a viable presidential candidate. But in doing so, she may also be inviting scrutiny about her 2020 presidential bid, which saw her struggle to gain traction in her home state of California, where she couldn’t even crack the top three in the Democratic primary.

For many, the idea of Kamala Harris running for president again in 2028 feels like a long shot. While the political landscape could change drastically in the next few years, Harris has yet to prove that she has the widespread support necessary to mount a successful presidential campaign. She has faced consistent criticism for her performance during the 2020 primary, where she was seen as one of the early frontrunners but ultimately faltered, unable to secure a solid base of support. With her approval ratings still fluctuating, many wonder whether she has the political capital to secure the nomination in 2028 — let alone win the general election.

The Democratic Party, in particular, is likely to face a tough decision in the coming years. If Joe Biden’s presidency ends in 2024, as some speculate, the party will need a leader who can unite the party and rally the American people. Yet, after Harris’ performance in the 2020 primaries and the subsequent challenges she’s faced as vice president, many in the party may be hesitant to place their faith in her again.

This has led to a growing sense of speculation within the political world, especially as Harris’ appearance on The Late Show is seen as part of a broader media strategy to revive her image. Colbert, known for his biting political humor, could very well use this opportunity to deliver a biting critique of Harris’ political future. After all, if Harris is serious about running for president again, it’s important that she addresses her past failures and proves that she is capable of overcoming them.

It’s possible that Colbert, who has long been a prominent figure in political comedy, could use his platform tonight to send a message to Harris: is she really ready for another shot at the presidency, or should she reconsider her plans? It would not be the first time that late-night television has been used as a platform for political commentary. Comedians like Seth Meyers have used their shows to confront political figures in a way that’s both humorous and thought-provoking. Perhaps Colbert will do the same tonight, offering Harris a “reverse Seth Meyers” moment, where instead of celebrating her potential, he challenges her to reconsider the difficult road ahead.

When Harris appeared on The Late Show in 2020, she was in the midst of her presidential campaign, and Colbert made an effort to portray her as relatable and approachable. In one memorable segment, Colbert invited Harris to crack open a beer with him, pointing out that Miller High Life came from Wisconsin — a key swing state in the upcoming election. Despite these attempts to make Harris seem more likable to the American public, the result was less than successful. Harris did not make it past the early stages of the Democratic primary, and her campaign fizzled out before it had a chance to gain momentum.

Now, with her memoir set to release and a future campaign on the horizon, many are questioning whether Harris is truly the right person to lead the Democratic Party. After the most embarrassing popular vote loss in recent decades, should Harris really be the face of the party moving forward? If Democrats want to reclaim the White House in 2028, it’s unclear whether Harris can lead them there, especially given her weak performance in previous elections.

Yet, Colbert’s position as a political commentator also comes with its own challenges. While he has been critical of many political figures over the years, it’s unclear whether he will choose to confront Harris directly tonight. After all, Colbert has often shied away from direct confrontation, opting instead for comedic jabs and gentle criticisms. But if he truly wants to make a statement, tonight could be the perfect opportunity to challenge Harris and ask the difficult questions about her political future.

As Harris steps into the spotlight once again, the world will be watching. Will she successfully convince voters that she deserves another chance at the presidency, or will the Democratic Party look for a fresh face to lead them into the future? Only time will tell, but tonight, on The Late Show, we may begin to see the answer unfold.