President Barack Obama | No Strait Answer

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: President Barack Obama | No Strait Answer

Date: May 6, 2026
Guest: President Barack Obama

Episode Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show features an extensive interview with former President Barack Obama. Recorded at the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the conversation covers topics ranging from the meaning of Obama’s legacy, challenges facing modern democracy, the future of the Democratic Party, presidential powers, and even the existence of aliens. Stephen Colbert blends humor with thoughtful, probing questions, leading to both lighthearted and substantive moments.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Monologue & Current Events [01:31–10:29]

• Cinco de Mayo Jokes: Stephen riffs on Cinco de Mayo coinciding with Taco Tuesday, humorously noting workplace festivities.
• The War in Iran: Colbert discusses the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, expressing fatigue over the “tragic and confusing” news ("Off the war. Cause we got other stuff to think about"). He parodies reporting on stranded seafarers and the impact of the strait’s closure on global trade and even his parent corporation, Paramount.
• Trump Soundbites: Clips of Donald Trump’s statements on the Iranian conflict and the return of the presidential fitness test for children—juxtaposed with Colbert’s sarcasm (“All right, kids, now let’s read green eggs and ham. The eggs are green because the chickens have mutated from radioactive fallout. But you won’t have to eat it. You’ll all be dead then.” [05:02])
• Kamikaze Dolphins?: Colbert lampoons reports of “kamikaze dolphins,” quipping, “We strapped porpoises with high explosives and then depress them sufficiently that they’re willing to ram ships in exchange for the promise of herring.” [07:04]
• Economy and Pop Culture: Rising fuel prices affect Domino’s and airlines; airline snack cuts are contrasted with the “Met Gala,” an event Colbert frames as “when Americans come together to watch the richest people wear the most expensive clothes that make you say, what? That’s crazy.” [08:34]
• Met Gala Moments: Quick takes on celebrity outfits, notably Bad Bunny and Cardi B.

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2. Introduction to Obama Interview [13:06–13:38]

• Colbert sets the scene: They've met at the Obama Presidential Center, opening June 19, to talk about everything from “alien life forms to the future of the Democratic Party.”

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3. Chicago & Personal Roots [14:28–16:37]

• Obama’s Chicago Connections: Obama describes the deep personal meaning of the Center’s location (“Michelle grew up about a mile from here… the first apartment I stayed in [was] three blocks away.” [14:36])
• Chicago Lightning Round: Colbert quizzes Obama on Chicago trivia:
  • Hot dog a sandwich? “No. Hot dog is a hot dog.” [15:23]
  • Ketchup on hot dogs? “Never.” [15:28]
  • Deep dish or tavern style? “Tavern style.” [16:07]
  • Cubs or Sox? “Sox.” [16:12]
  • Italian beef—dry, wet, or dipped? “Wet.” [16:26]
• Colbert’s Wrap Up: “You passed. I would expect so. That's a solid B plus.” [16:37]

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4. Legacy and Ambitions for the Obama Center [16:42–18:32]

• Obama on Legacy:

  “I want people to put my presidency in context... it’s this struggle between the idea that ‘we the people’ includes everybody, that it’s not just some select few. So what I want people to do when they come to this museum is to say this is part of that American story, that better story...” [17:28]

• Obama’s goal: To inspire visitors, emphasize his presidency as “one small chapter” in a larger American narrative.

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5. The Limits of Presidential Power [18:32–21:45]

• Executive Power Discussion:
  • Obama calls for codifying the norm that the White House “shouldn’t be able to direct the Attorney General to go around prosecuting whoever the President wants to prosecute.” [19:03]
  • The Attorney General should be “the people’s lawyer, not the President’s consigliere.” [19:31]
  • Dangers of politicizing the military and using presidential office for personal business gain (“the president...shouldn’t have a bunch of side hustles that those companies and foreign entities can invest in.” [21:22])
• Colbert’s Sneaker Joke: “How much of that is just jealous that you didn’t think of selling a sneaker? Because your sneakers would have flown.” [21:45]

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6. Democratic Party Direction and the Value of Plain Speaking [23:53–28:14]

• Colbert’s Framing: Current tension is “liberals versus the left,” with Gen Z identifying more as leftists who want big changes.
• Obama’s Response:

  “I'm not as worried about this so-called rift between the left and liberals... there's an overarching belief in equality, fairness... It’s really more a question of: what are the specific things that we have to do?” [24:59–26:52]

• He stresses that the critical challenge is whether “you know how to just talk to regular people. Like, we’re not in a college seminar.”
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Colbert: “Strict no gobbledygook?” [27:47]
  • Obama: “No gobbledygook. Just talk like normal people talk.” [27:49]
  • Obama jokes he might carve “No gobbledygook” into the Center’s walls.

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7. Aliens, Conspiracies, and Presidential Secrets [28:14–30:34]

• Obama’s “Aliens” Quote:

  “If there were aliens or alien spaceships or anything under the control of the United States government that we knew about... some guy guarding the installation would have taken a selfie with one of the aliens and sent it to his girlfriend.” [29:00–29:41]

• Colbert presses Obama, who playfully claims, “I actually do [wish they were real]...I think I would be a good emissary.” [29:55–30:09]

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8. Museum Tour & Reflections on Leadership [31:11–36:47]

• Obama’s Hope for the Center:

  “What I really want people to take away is that they are the force behind change... I want them to be fired up, to go back in their own communities and try to make things better there, too.” [31:57]

• Highlights:
  • The possible star attraction? “Michelle’s dresses.” [32:24]
  • Most prized artifact? Nobel Prize (“It’s not like I’m putting it around on a gold chain, wearing it out to dinner.” [32:43])
  • Colbert asks about the infamous tan suit; Obama replies: “I own that tan suit. Proudly, brother.” [33:15]
  • Display of volunteer-made Obama sneakers; Obama jokes, “They were cooler. I wasn’t going to be thinking of something like that.” [33:49]
  • Obama O’s cereal story—Airbnb’s early days, funding through collectible cereal boxes [34:10]
  • Colbert: “At 64, do the shoes say, yes, we can, but the knees say maybe we shouldn’t?” [34:06]
  • Favorite superhero: Spider-Man or Batman? Obama was on the Spider-Man comic, never on Batman [35:21–35:54]
• Young Leadership Emphasis: Obama says the center is “about inspiring the leaders of the future...guys like us are kind of old and we’ve run out of ideas.” [36:13]
• Succession: Michelle Obama is the better speaker (“that was a layup” [37:00]); debate on updating the “Yes we can” slogan.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Colbert, on Executive Power:
  “I might have asked you this when you were running for president back in the day. Like, is there any power that President Bush has taken that you would say, no, I don't want that power, because it keeps accumulating.” [18:47]
• Obama, on the Attorney General:
  “The idea is that the Attorney General is the people’s lawyer. It's not the President’s consigliere.” [19:31]
• Colbert, asking about presidential sneaker sales:
  “How much of that is just jealous that you didn’t think of selling a sneaker because your sneakers would have flown. You know that, right?” [21:45]
• Obama, on plain speaking:
  “No gobbledygook. Just talk like normal people talk.” [27:49]
• Obama, on aliens and conspiracies:
  “This idea of conspiracy theories. If there were aliens or alien spaceships...some guy guarding the installation would have taken a selfie...and sent it to his girlfriend to impress him.” [29:09–29:41]
• Colbert, on “Yes We Can” sneakers:
  “At 64, do the shoes say, yes, we can, but the knees say maybe we shouldn’t?” [34:06]
• Obama, on legacy:
  “They're the force behind change and every positive thing that's happened in the country... I want them to be fired up, to go back in their own communities and try to make things better there too.” [31:57]

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 01:31 | Monologue: Cinco de Mayo, Iran conflict | | 04:37 | Trump’s soundbites on Iran and the presidency | | 06:25 | “Kamikaze dolphins” discussion | | 13:38 | Start of Obama interview at the Center | | 14:28 | Obama’s Chicago roots, rapid-fire questions | | 17:15 | Obama explains hopes for the Center’s legacy | | 18:46 | Limits of executive power discussion | | 23:53 | Framing of Democratic Party debate | | 24:59 | Obama on party direction and plain speaking | | 28:14 | Obama and Colbert joke about aliens | | 31:11 | Obama gives Colbert tour of the Center | | 32:43 | On the Nobel Prize, tan suit, and memorabilia | | 36:13 | Focus on inspiring young leaders | | 37:00 | Michelle Obama wins “best speaker” |

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Tone & Style

The episode is witty, candid, and reflective—with Colbert’s signature satire meeting Obama’s thoughtful optimism and dry humor. Exchanges are playful yet substantial, especially during discussions of presidential power and the future of American democracy.

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Summary

For those who haven’t listened, this episode is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The light-hearted banter about Chicago, aliens, and fashion contrasts with serious conversation on legacy, democracy, and the critical need for plain, honest leadership. Obama’s perspective is hopeful but aware of contemporary challenges, aiming to pass the baton of change to America’s next generation. The episode is rich with memorable moments, clear insights, and classic Colbert-Obama chemistry.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome one and all to the Late Show. I'm your host Stephen Colbert. I just want to start off, just want to start off tonight by saying happy Cinco de Mayo everybody. For those who don't know, Cinco de Mayo is the day a co worker in a problematic hat is going to invite you out for margaritas. Larry, you seem nice, but I don't want to go for drinkos. We are not amigos. We are at best acquaintances del work. This Cinco de Mayo is extra special because it happens to fall on Taco Tuesday. And really and there are some festive deals to be had. Taco Bell is offering free crunchwrap Supremes and seven eleven has a bogo on burritos. And I'm guessing if you eat more than one 711 burrito you b go under the but of course it's fun. It's a fun celebration. Of course the big story remains the war in Iran. It's tragic and confusing and I don't want to talk about it anymore. So stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Off the war. Cause. Thank you. Nice hands. Cause we got other stuff to think about. Okay. It's already May. Are we getting a house on the shore this summer or are we going to really splurge and get a whole tank of gas? So now, against my expressed wishes, it is time for another Hormuz news you can use would rather drink booze. According to the latest reports, the strait is closed, we think because only two ships were known to have passed through the waterway on Monday and. And some 1,600 ships and roughly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded. Stranded seafarers. You know what that leads to? Scurvy, cannibalism, and lonely sailors fashioning Dutch wives out of rags and soap. You are so lovely, Greta, and so quiet. There are reports of the US and Iran exchanging fire. And today, for the second day in a row, Iran hit the UAE with drones and missiles. That is dangerous. Okay? Not just to Mideast peace, but to my parent corporation. Because Paramount's bid to buy Warner Brothers relies on $24 billion in Gulf funds, including the Limad holding company, which is run by the crown prince of the uae. So do you know this war could endanger the future UAE approved version of HBO with the hot euphoria reboot. Obey your parents. This morning, just this morning. It was just this morning in the Oval Office, Trump announced the return of the presidential fitness test to a group of small children and of course talked about the stakes of the war in Iran.

[Donald Trump]

We can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon. You might be too young for this. I don't know if I want. They probably know. They probably know better than most people. But you can't let a bunch of lunatics have a nuclear weapon or the world would be in trouble. A very important thing. So we would have had an Iran with a nuclear weapon and maybe we wouldn't all be here right now.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, kids, now let's read green eggs and ham. The eggs are green because the chickens have mutated from radioactive fallout. But you won't have to eat it. You'll all be dead then. And again, this is in front of a small crowd of very small children. Trump told the kids what Iran would have to do for the war to end.

[Donald Trump]

That's not the way we play. No, we do it the old fashioned way. And they should wave. They're very proud. Maybe you won't see a white flag, but Essentially, that's already what they are. They need. They should wave the white. The flag. The white flag of surrender. In hockey they say uncle, right?

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. Yes. In hockey they say uncle. We all remember the miracle on ice. Five seconds are left in the game.

[Barack Obama]

Do you believe in uncle?

[Donald Trump]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Speaking of confused children, Pete hegseth. Today the SecDef explained the opera to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz and how it's different from the war which is currently in a ceasefire.

[Pete Hegseth]

This is a separate and distinct effort, temporary in nature, that we plan to hand over to the world. So the President was willing to undertake this. Send commercial ships through, send destroyers in, provide this red, white and blue bubble of protection.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ah, yes, that time honored metaphor for something impenetrable and long lasting, the bubble. Hegseth. Sorry, Hagseth. Also got a question about some surprising reports about a secret weapon.

[Commercial Narrator]

Can you kind of clarify these reports

[Stephen Colbert]

of kamikaze dolphins that we heard about?

[Pete Hegseth]

I can't confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm they don't.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, then clearly we have kamikaze dolphins. We strapped porpoises with high explosives and then depress them sufficiently that they're willing to ram ships in exchange for the promise of herring. What do you think about that, Flipper? I agree. We got suicidal dolphins. As Trump's war in Iran drags on, the world economy is not happy and consumers are feeling the pinch all over. In fact, thanks to the higher gas prices, Domino's reported lower than projected sales. They've even had to update the tracker steps to order prep check status of Carg Island. Thanks to high jet fuel prices, airlines are also in trouble. And now Delta is eliminating all food and beverage service on 450 daily flights. Losing food and beverage service, there's going to be a huge adjustment. It means no more returning from the bathroom like this. So airlines are pinching pennies on snacks and everyday Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Which means it's the perfect time for the Met Gala, the annual event when Americans come together to watch the richest people wear the most expensive clothes that make you say, what? That's crazy. And you go, colman, Domingo. Fantastic. The dress code this year was fashion is art, which is nice, but a little predictable. It's always fashion this and fashion that. Maybe just one year it could be something cool, like big rig trucks, you know, something fun. Hot glue guns or those big stump grinders they bring in to get out your stump. Those are fun. As always, there were some wild looks. Katy Perry stunned as the Bic Boy. Some celebs. You like that one, Mr. Lampley? You enjoyed that one. I'm glad 11 years in got a laugh out of you. I'm so glad he's a hard nut to crack at. Lampley. Some celebs had fun with makeup. Bad bunny transformed into a sexy Dos Equis guy. Cardi B. Cardi B showed up as that thing on your neck you've been meaning to get checked out. Ms. B was asked about her post gala plans and her response was not reassuring.

[Commercial Narrator]

What after parties are you hitting tonight?

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know.

[Commercial Narrator 2]

You know.

[Barack Obama]

You want to know a secret?

[Commercial Narrator]

I'm actually sick and I have a fever.

[Barack Obama]

Yep.

[Stephen Colbert]

And based on the expression of the guy behind her, he is learning that information in real time. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Commercial Narrator 3]

Coming up.

[Commercial Narrator]

President Barack Obama

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[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, welcome back, everybody. Friends and neighbors, longtime viewers of America might remember that we used to have other presidents, a bunch of them, in fact, including this guy, Barack Obama. Recently. Recently he invited me to meet him in Chicago at the Obama Presidential center, which opens to the public on June 19. We sat down for a conversation that touched on everything from alien life forms to the future of the Democratic Party.

[Barack Obama]

Mr. President, it is great to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice to see you, too. Thanks for doing this.

[Barack Obama]

Thank you for coming.

[Stephen Colbert]

Last time we were together, sir, was at a fundraiser in New York. It doesn't matter what it was for or what happened. It's all water under the bridge.

[Barack Obama]

It is.

[Stephen Colbert]

But after the fundraiser was over, we were backstage briefly as we were all leaving, and you turned to me and said, okay, now you can call me Barack.

[Barack Obama]

You can.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, well, I haven't done it yet. I have never actually tried it out.

[Barack Obama]

What do you think's gonna happen?

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm gonna be comfortable with this. But we'll give it a run. Okay. It's wonderful to see you again, Bar.

[Barack Obama]

Wait till we're on camera.

[Stephen Colbert]

Let's earn it. Okay, maybe by the end.

[Barack Obama]

Maybe by the end.

[Stephen Colbert]

We are here at the beautiful Obama Presidential center, which opens on June 19th on the south side of Chicago. What's this neighborhood mean to you?

[Barack Obama]

Michelle grew up about a mile from here. Our wedding reception was about five minutes from here. My daughters were born in that hospital right there. I first arrived in Chicago driving down a road that is now been replaced by this building. The first apartment I stayed in Chicago is literally three blocks away. I made my announcement for my first political office about five minutes down the road. So a lot of stuff has happened here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, so obviously Chicago incredibly important to you. You lived here over 20 years. I understand. Can we get a quick Chicago bona fides Check.

[Barack Obama]

Go ahead.

[Stephen Colbert]

Lightning round. First question. Is a hot dog a sandwich?

[Barack Obama]

No. Hot dog. Is a hot dog.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. Is it ever okay to put ketchup on a hot dog?

[Barack Obama]

Never. Okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

Favorite place in Chicago.

[Barack Obama]

Favorite place in Chicago is actually the point. Right over here, which is juts out right around Hyde park into the lake. And it's the first place that I grilled in the summer in Chicago.

[Stephen Colbert]

Least favorite place in Chicago.

[Barack Obama]

Well, there was a time where I used to go to the DMV in Chicago. I don't have to anymore.

[Stephen Colbert]

I have a similar one, which is Lower Wacker Drive, which has the best name of any street in Chicago. But that's where they would haul your car away more than once. I had it. I eventually left it there. Deep dish or tavern style?

[Barack Obama]

Tavern style.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sweet or hot?

[Barack Obama]

Both.

[Stephen Colbert]

Cubs or socks?

[Barack Obama]

Socks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sears Tower or Willis Tower? It's Sears Tower, man, not Sears Tower. Exactly. Do you like your Italian beef dry, wet or dipped?

[Barack Obama]

I think wet.

[Stephen Colbert]

Not soaked?

[Barack Obama]

Not soaked.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. Bulls 91 or 93 or bulls 96 to 98?

[Barack Obama]

91. 93.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right, good. You passed. I would expect so That's a solid B plus.

[Barack Obama]

B plus.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. We'll go over it later. I'll have office hours later if you want to stop by. Okay. The Obama Presidential center is spread across 19.3 acres and includes a 5,000 square foot public library, a monumental museum building, an athletic facility, an outdoor sledding hill, big points for that, gardens and a park. It's obviously a labor of love. 50 to 100 years from now, when somebody comes to this center, what do you want them to take away from the experience? What do they want them to have learned about you and the legacy of your administration?

[Barack Obama]

Well, look, I want them to put my presidency in context. Right. I assume in my eulogy somewhere it'll be mentioned. He was the first African American president.

[Stephen Colbert]

I will say something about that.

[Barack Obama]

But what I want people to understand is that there was this extraordinary journey this country took to get to that point, and I was an episode in that. And it's this struggle between the idea that we the people includes everybody, that it's not just some. It's not just some select few. So what I want people to do when they come to this museum is to say this is part of that American story, that better story, the one that has inspired not just generations, but also the world. And the Obama presidency was a part of that story. It was one small chapter in it. And if I do that, then 50 years from now, when people come, presumably they'll still be inspired by that story. Not mine alone, but ours.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes. The good future is the one where they say, oh, we totally know what he means. Yeah. The bad future is what's he talking about? There's often a conversation about the restriction or a need to restrict certain executive powers.

[Barack Obama]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. I might have asked you this when you were running for president back in the day. Like, is there any power that President Bush has taken that you would say, no, I don't want that power, because it keeps accumulating. Now that you're no longer in office, what powers do you believe the President should not have?

[Barack Obama]

Well, there are a couple that I followed, even though they weren't law, and I want us. We're going to have to do some work to return to this basic norm, and we probably now have to codify it. The White House shouldn't be able to direct the Attorney General to go around prosecuting whoever the President wants to prosecute.

[Stephen Colbert]

Right. Because technically, it's under the executive branch. The norm is that it's independent.

[Barack Obama]

The idea is that the Attorney General is the people's lawyer. It's not the President's consigliere.

[Stephen Colbert]

Right. Even when it's Bobby Kennedy, it's Bobby Kennedy.

[Barack Obama]

And so two of the core principles of a democracy, we can survive a lot. Bad policy, funky elections. There's a bunch of stuff that, you know, we can overcome. We can't overcome the politicization of the criminal justice system, the awesome power of the state. You can't have a situation in which whoever's in charge of the government starts using that to go after their political enemies or reward their friends. Right. So another power, maybe I'd say would be, although this is in the Constitution, it's a little hard to change, but maybe don't pardon people who've given you a bunch of campaign contributions or investing in the businesses. So restoring some sense of the Justice Department being independent in making judgments about specific cases and prosecutions. I would consult with Eric Holder, my Attorney General, all the time around broad policy issues. But that's different than, who do you charge? What case do you bring? Second thing is the military. Don't politicize our military. As President, you are commander in Chief. You are responsible for directing our military. But there had been a whole series of norms that were in place to ensure that you weren't trying to make that military loyal to you as opposed to the Constitution and the people of the United States. We're going to have to find mechanisms to restore that. And then you know, a good policy that I'd like to see followed is that the president of the United States shouldn't have a bunch of side hustles that those companies and foreign entities can invest in.

[Stephen Colbert]

How much of that is just jealous that you didn't think of selling a sneaker because your sneakers would have flown. You know that, right?

[Barack Obama]

You know, you would bank coin. I just, I mean, and I thought this was a pretty obvious principle.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right. I'm looking for a new gig soon.

[Barack Obama]

Uh huh.

[Stephen Colbert]

And a lot of people tell me I should run for president.

[Barack Obama]

Well, you certainly have the look. Thank you very much. You have the hair.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, for the record, I think it's a stupid idea. How dumb do you think it is for people to say that I should run for president?

[Barack Obama]

Well, you know, the bar has changed.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is true. That is true. At times. Subterranean. I don't have to limbo so low.

[Barack Obama]

Let me put it this way. I think that you could perform significantly better than some folks that we've seen.

[Donald Trump]

All right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah,

[Barack Obama]

I have great confidence in that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you very much. Is that an endorsement?

[Barack Obama]

It was not.

[Stephen Colbert]

When we come back, I'll ask President Obama about alien life. And if the truth is out there, stick around.

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Folks, of all the interviews that President Barack Obama has given, critics are calling mine the most recent. Yvonne the center is nonpartisan, but you yourself are still a member of the Democratic Party. There's a debate on what the direction of the Democratic Party should be. It looks like it's going to be a fairly good midterm election for the Democrats. Chance to take the House, if not the Senate. But there's a big debate on what the leadership would be like going forward. Basically, it's liberals versus the left to be very reductive about it, as my children say to me, dad, you're a liberal. We're leftists because they're like, liberals are people who think things should basically stay the same. You know what I mean? And the next generation really wants things to change. So you have great leaders. You have people like Abigail Spanberger and Mikey Sherrill, very centrist. But then you have further left like AOC or Zoran Mamdani. What direction do you think would be best for this party to actually achieve change?

[Barack Obama]

Well, two things I want to say. First, you're right. The Presidential center is nonpartisan. And the reason I want to mention that is because I'm worried about the Republican Party, not just the Democratic Party. When I was president, people would ask me, what change would you like to see in Washington? I'd say, I'd love a loyal opposition. I'd love a Republican Party that was conservative in some ways, that didn't agree with me on a whole bunch of stuff, but believed in rule of law and judicial independence and empirical evidence. Empirical evidence and science, and wasn't constantly tapping into our worst impulses. And there has been a Republican Party like that in the past. And I want to see that return because I think you have to have two healthy parties now. With respect to Democrats, I'm not as worried about this so called rift between the left and liberals as you describe it, because I think that within the Democratic Party, and I would argue a bunch of independents and even some Republicans as well, there's an overarching belief in equality, fairness. If you work, you should be able to make a living wage and support a family and retire with dignity and respect. And we should not allow companies to just run roughshod over the rights of workers. There are a bunch of things that we agree on and it's really more of a question of, all right, what are the specific things that we have to do? You look at somebody like Mondami, who I think is an extraordinary talent, he wants people to be able to afford housing in New York. Well, you know, I would assume liberals in New York want the same thing. And so I don't worry as much about some of these issues within the Democratic Party. What I'm more interested in for Democrats is do you know how to just talk to regular people? Like we're not in a college seminar. Right. You know, can you talk plain English to folks about.

[Stephen Colbert]

I think that's one of the powers that Mamdani has.

[Barack Obama]

That's correct.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is that he also. Not only does he talk like a normal person, but he Lives a normal life. But he also. He names what is obviously wrong.

[Barack Obama]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

And he goes, we should change that thing.

[Barack Obama]

That doesn't make any sense. And not have a bunch of gobbledygook around it. And so what I'm looking for is

[Stephen Colbert]

there a strict no gobbledygook.

[Barack Obama]

No gobbledygook here at.

[Stephen Colbert]

You should carve that into the wall somewhere of the Obama Center. No gobbledygook, just talk.

[Barack Obama]

The building's not completed. I think I'm going to put that somewhere. I'm going to carve it into some of the granite out here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sure, sure.

[Barack Obama]

No gobbledygook. Just talk like normal people talk. You know what? Like the rent's too high. We need to make the rent lower for people.

[Stephen Colbert]

All right. Earlier this year, you said of aliens. Yes, quote, they're real, but I haven't seen them. Then you tried to walk it back the next day. You know, no one believed you. Right. Because that first one had the ring of truth. It was just a guy just letting it. Finally let it out. And then the next day you're like. Well, what I meant was I'm sure that somewhere out there, given the infinite nature of the universe and the. No one buys that. Just come clean, man. You don't want to tarnish a reputation for just like, frankness and honesty at this point of your career.

[Barack Obama]

Oh, Lord.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sir, at long last, won't you just.

[Barack Obama]

I thought it was so obvious what I meant.

[Stephen Colbert]

Uh huh.

[Barack Obama]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, it was obvious what you meant. But we all got the message.

[Barack Obama]

Here's the thing.

[Stephen Colbert]

Uh huh.

[Barack Obama]

For those of you who still think that, you know, we've got little green men underground somewhere. Yeah. One of the things you learn as president.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Barack Obama]

Is government is terrible at keeping secrets. This idea of conspiracy theories. If there were aliens or alien spaceships or anything under the control of the United States government that we knew about, seen photographs, what have you. I promise you, some guy guarding the installation would have taken a selfie with one of the aliens and sent it to his girlfriend to impress him. It would leave.

[Stephen Colbert]

Or there'd be like, hints. There'd be like certain hints out there. Like a presidential center would look like a scout ship that's just come down from low orbit and landed in Chicago. That would happen.

[Audience Member]

Something like that.

[Barack Obama]

It could happen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you wish they were real?

[Barack Obama]

I actually do. All right. I'm putting in a plug now.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Barack Obama]

First contact. I think I would be a good emissary for

[Stephen Colbert]

the plant.

[Barack Obama]

Yeah. I mean, I've got diverse background, some Experience in statecraft and diplomacy. I'm friendly, so I actually think, you know, I. I could do a pretty good job. All right, so that's a good pitch.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, we will keep that in mind. Thank you so much.

[Barack Obama]

But it hasn't happened yet.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, great.

[Barack Obama]

All right.

[Stephen Colbert]

And we have your phone number here on the resume. Thank you so much. Very impressive.

[Barack Obama]

Good.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, Barack, thank you so much for your time today. It was wonderful to be here. And congratulations. This extraordinary center.

[Barack Obama]

Well, you asked what I hope for 50 years from now. What I hope is, is that a whole bunch of young people come through here during those 50 years, and they're inspired to realize the changes they can make in the world and make it better. If we accomplish that, then I'll feel pretty good.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you, sir.

[Barack Obama]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

When we return, President Obama gives me a personal tour of the center. And now join me joining President Barack Obama for a walkthrough of the Obama Presidential Center. The Obama Presidential center houses a museum dedicated to the president's legacy. Its four levels showcase artifacts from his political and personal life. And my friend Barack was nice enough to give me a tour. It's an incredible space. And I'm curious, what do you want people to take away from the Obama Center Museum?

[Barack Obama]

What I really want people to take away from this is that they are the force behind change and every positive thing that's happened in the country, they are what lifted me up to the presidency. They're the folks that ultimately bring about changes to make this a fair, better country. And I want them to be fired up, to go back in their own communities and try to make things better there, too.

[Stephen Colbert]

What do you think the big draw is going to be for this museum?

[Barack Obama]

Michelle's dresses?

[Stephen Colbert]

That's actually a good answer. I wasn't sure if you're going to

[Barack Obama]

have one for that and an accurate one.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, good. Because, you know the Herbert Hoover Museum in Iowa? He has a diorama of him fishing. Of trout fishing. So you had to beat that. That was the bar. It's filled with souvenirs from throughout your life. Is there anything you didn't want to part with?

[Barack Obama]

The Nobel Prize is here, and I sort of felt like, you know, who am I showing it off to? It's not like I'm putting it around on a gold chain, wearing it out to dinner, right?

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know. You get pulled over by a policeman and. You'll. Excuse me, sir. My friend Alfred would like to talk to you. Is it safe to assume that some of these displays commemorate your Greatest achievements as president.

[Barack Obama]

I think that is fair.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is there a wing dedicated to greatest blunders? Is the tan suit here? I'm asking if the tan suit is here.

[Barack Obama]

Listen, I own that tan suit. Proudly, brother.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have this. If you want to put this on display someplace, I mean, I look great. A shattered nation looked up and saw that. When you look back at the tan suit, what occurs to you?

[Barack Obama]

Fly.

[Stephen Colbert]

Tell me about these sneakers. Did you put these out for sale? What is this?

[Barack Obama]

I did not. What we have in this case is all kinds of amazing stuff that volunteers made that we had nothing to do with. They came up with cool stuff and made me look cool, and I wasn't that cool.

[Stephen Colbert]

You were a little cool. You were a little cool.

[Barack Obama]

They were cooler. I wasn't going to be thinking of something like that.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now this. Those yes we can sneakers. I know you still play ball. I'm just curious. At 64, do the shoes say, yes, we can, but the knees say maybe we shouldn't? Over here, I noticed the Obama O's.

[Barack Obama]

This is an interesting story.

[Stephen Colbert]

We'll see.

[Barack Obama]

Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, gave this to me. Airbnb had gotten started and was looking for some sort of event where they could, you know, show that this concept of people sleeping in other people's bedrooms might work. And the Denver convention was one of their big launching points because they figured a whole bunch of volunteers are coming in, There aren't enough hotel rooms, and simultaneously, they were running out of money.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did they sell these?

[Barack Obama]

They sold these as a way to help fund Airbnb when it was short on cash. They basically took a bunch of Cheerios and then put them in another box.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just looking at the photo. On behalf of children everywhere. How about some marshmallows, man? What is the worst thing that you had to eat for a camera?

[Barack Obama]

Well, I'm not sure it's the worst tasting.

[Stephen Colbert]

Most dangerous thing.

[Barack Obama]

Worst thing. Fried snicker bar.

[Stephen Colbert]

That sounds good, though.

[Barack Obama]

That's why I said, sounds like America. It tasted just fine.

[Stephen Colbert]

There you go. Comic book. That's amazing.

[Barack Obama]

That, I have to say, was pretty cool. Partly because Spider man was, along with Batman, my two favorite superheroes when I was 10, 11 years old.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is number 583. Yeah, that's really great. 583. I'm on variant. 573.

[Barack Obama]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Barack Obama]

It happened for you first.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, it happened. And are there a lot of things that you copied that? I did just this.

[Barack Obama]

I was thinking about other things when this thing came out. And I'm just curious, like, the economic crisis that was about to plunge the world in. The Great Depression.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You did a good job with that.

[Barack Obama]

I'm sure you were really concerned about getting your face on the COVID of a.

[Stephen Colbert]

We all have our priorities. You said Batman was big for you, too. What number of Batman are you on?

[Barack Obama]

I've never been on. Oh, come on.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, I've been on Batman Answer tonight. And again, it's not competition, so you shouldn't feel however you're feeling right now.

[Barack Obama]

I'm feeling a little low. T. You do.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now, you've said that this center really isn't about you. It's about inspiring the leaders of the future. Tell me who these lovely people are.

[Barack Obama]

Here are four examples of amazing young people doing amazing work in their communities. And these are the folks who are going to be carrying this stuff forward. The goal of the foundation, just like the goal of the center, is to figure out ways we can help them achieve their goals. And the truth is, is that guys like us are kind of old and we've run out of ideas, and, you know, we need these people to help get us out of some of the binds we've gotten them into. And hopefully this will be sort of a hub for a lot of the activities that go on for. For years to come.

[Stephen Colbert]

Next generation of leaders. How many of you voted for Obama? Well, that's embarrassing.

[Barack Obama]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

You've heard the former first lady speak and you've heard the former president speak.

[Commercial Narrator]

I have.

[Stephen Colbert]

You want to rank them? Gonna have to go.

[Barack Obama]

Michelle Obama, you know, that was a layup.

[Stephen Colbert]

His slogan was, yes, we can as the next generation. How would you modernize that? Is there anything you would change about that?

[Commercial Narrator]

Yes, we can.

[Audience Member]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

President Obama said the center is about you, not about him. But obviously he's inspirational. Does anyone have an impression of Barack Obama that they know how to do? Well, you know, Stephen, this is why we're here at the Obama presidential Senate, because we're trying to bring change home. Can I give you. Can you a little. Give me a nugget. More pauses. Okay, okay. Somehow pause before you talk. Okay, okay. And just start with the word look, and then don't say anything for a while. Look, this is why we're here. That's it. That's it. He's ready. Sir. Sir, it was wonderful to see you.

[Barack Obama]

Thank you for making the time, and thank you for everything that you have done. I mean, I know we only got a few shows left, but I know you're going to make them count because you always have.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thanks very much.

[Barack Obama]

All right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

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