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Obama Appears on Colbert's Final Show, Hints at Politics
6 May
Summary
- Obama joked about Colbert's potential political future.
- Former President discussed presidential powers and norms.
- The Late Show is ending due to financial reasons in May 2026.
Former President Barack Obama made a notable appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, taped at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. During their conversation, Obama playfully addressed Colbert's hypothetical run for president, suggesting the bar for candidates had "changed" and that Colbert could "perform significantly better than some folks we've seen." He clarified this was not an endorsement.
Obama also engaged with a serious query regarding presidential powers, emphasizing the need to "return to this basic norm" and potentially "codify it." He specifically stated that the White House should not direct the attorney general to pursue prosecutions. This appearance comes as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert prepares to air its final episode on May 21, 2026.
CBS announced the decision to end the franchise, citing "purely a financial" reason amidst a challenging backdrop for late night television, asserting that Stephen Colbert is irreplaceable. Colbert, addressing the show's conclusion with his audience, expressed his enjoyment of hosting for the past decade and looked forward to the remaining months of broadcasts.
