Photo Credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images The final weeks of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are lining up a major moment. Stephen Colbert has confirmed a high-profile guest for one of his last episodes, setting up a conversation that ties into a historic project and marks the closing stretch of his run on CBS. Barack Obama to be interviewed by Stephen Colbert in May Stephen Colbert revealed that Barack Obama will join him for an interview on May 5.
The announcement came during a recent episode, where Colbert told the audience he had “a quick but exciting announcement” before confirming the sit-down. The episode will feature Obama’s first interview from the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The Obama Foundation IG handle also confirmed the news, writing “Couch booked.
Volume up. Ready to go.” View this post on Instagram This conversation will mark another chapter in their long on-screen history. Colbert has interviewed Obama multiple times, including during his Comedy Central years and later on CBS in 2016 and 2020.
Their dynamic has often mixed humor with political insight, making their upcoming discussion one of the most anticipated segments before the show wraps. The timing also connects to a bigger milestone. The Barack Obama Presidential Center, which began construction in 2021, is set to open to the public in June.
The interview gives audiences an early look at the project through Obama’s own perspective, just weeks before its official launch. Colbert’s show is nearing its end, with the final episode scheduled for May 21, 2026. His departure follows broader changes at CBS, where financial decisions led to the late-night lineup shifting direction.
After Colbert exits, the time slot will be taken over by Comics Unleashed, marking a clear transition for the network. With one of his biggest guests returning for the closing stretch, Colbert is ensuring the show signs off with a moment that fans remember for a long time.