Obama Appears on Colbert's Late Show as It comes to an End

Barack Obama joined Stephen Colbert for a final interview, joking about presidential standards as the Late Show prepares to end.

Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert during the final Late Show interview at the Obama Presidential Center.

Former United States President Barack Obama has bid farewell to Stephen Colbert as the popular late-night television program prepares to air its final episode.

The duo sat down for a pre-taped conversation at the upcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which is scheduled to open its doors to the public on June 19.

With the show ending on May 21, Colbert joked that he was looking for a new job and people were urging him to run for the White House.

Obama played along, noting that the standards for the presidency have shifted. He chuckled and said the comedian would likely "perform significantly better than some folks" they have seen in office.

When Colbert asked if that counted as a formal endorsement, the former president quickly shut it down with a firm "it was not."

The interview was not all jokes, though. Obama addressed serious concerns about presidential power. He stressed the need to codify democratic norms into law.

As an example, he pointed out that the White House should never have the authority to order the attorney general to prosecute specific individuals.

Closing the chat, Obama praised Colbert for his decade-long run, thanking him for his consistent work and expressing confidence that the final shows would be great.

This marks Obama's third time on the program, having previously visited in 2016 and 2020.

CBS announced the cancellation of the franchise last July. The network made it clear that the decision was strictly financial and not a reflection of the show's performance or any internal issues at Paramount.

In their statement, CBS called Colbert irreplaceable and confirmed the entire Late Show franchise would retire with him.

Speaking to his audience after the news broke, Colbert admitted he shared their disappointment. He called hosting the show a fantastic responsibility and said he wished another host could take over.

Despite the cancellation, Colbert promised to enjoy the remaining months with his team, ensuring the final stretch remains fun for everyone watching.