Barack Obama Slips Trump Jab Into Stephen Colbert Tribute

Former President Barack Obama honored Stephen Colbert after the final episode of The Late Show. He took the opportunity to praise the comedian, while seemingly taking a shot at President Donald Trump.

Obama shared his message on Instagram after Colbert wrapped up the CBS program on Thursday, May 21, ending an 11-season run as host. The former president thanked Colbert for his contributions to late night TV and expressed gratitude for their friendship.

“For more than a decade, Stephen @Colbert has been one of the top voices of late night,” Obama wrote, according to The Daily Beast.

“Michelle and I enjoyed being Stephen’s guests—even when the games were rigged—and we’re grateful to call him a friend.”

Obama also thanked Colbert for “making us laugh” and for “reminding us who we are and what America stands for,” the outlet reported.

This comment was interpreted as political because Colbert’s departure from CBS followed months of public tension involving Trump, Paramount, and the network’s choice to end the show.

Obama had appeared on The Late Show earlier in May, during Colbert’s final episodes. CBS included Obama, along with Tom Hanks and a Broadway performance, in the May 13 episode.

During that appearance, Obama made a joke that seemed to reference Trump without directly mentioning him. The Daily Beast reported that Obama suggested Colbert could lead better than “some folks that we’ve seen.”

Colbert’s final episode aired amid ongoing reactions to CBS’s decision to end the long-running late-night show.

CBS announced the cancellation in July 2025, citing financial reasons. This announcement came days after Colbert criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company, over its $16 million settlement with Trump related to a 60 Minutes interview dispute.

The cancellation drew responses from entertainers, politicians, and fans. Some critics connected the timing to Paramount’s business interests and the political climate surrounding media companies. CBS maintained that finances drove the decision.

Trump celebrated Colbert’s exit in a Truth Social post after the finale, where he called him a “jerk” and mocked his ratings and talent, according to People. Trump often criticized Colbert, who regularly targeted the president during his time on the show.

Colbert largely steered clear of Trump during the finale itself.

Entertainment Weekly noted that he did not mention the president in the last episode, although he made a brief joke after Paul McCartney humorously recalled being given “bright orange” makeup during The Beatles’ first American TV appearance.

Colbert responded, “That’s very popular in certain circles these days.”

The finale also featured a joke about Peanuts music and potential licensing issues for CBS.

Colbert introduced a segment about lawsuits concerning music associated with Peanuts specials before the house band performed “Linus and Lucy.” “I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” he quipped.

Colbert closed the show by expressing gratitude for his staff, audience, and family. He referred to the program as The Joy Machine, emphasizing that the work needed to be done with joy to handle the pressures of creating nightly television.

Obama’s tribute added a political touch to Colbert’s farewell, celebrating the host’s impact on late night while indirectly pointing at a president who had spent years clashing with him.