Colbert Accidentally Leads 'Yes, We Can!' Chant After Referencing Obama Slogan

The Late Show host briefly confused the Obama campaign slogan with anti-Trump protests.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:26pm

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During a segment criticizing President Trump, Stephen Colbert appeared to accidentally reference former President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign slogan 'Yes, We Can' while trying to mock Trump. Colbert then led his audience in chanting the Obama-era slogan before realizing his mistake and pivoting back to his planned commentary.

Why it matters

Colbert's brief mix-up of the Obama and Trump slogans highlights the ongoing political tensions and partisan divides in the country, as well as the challenges late-night comedians face in striking the right tone when commenting on the current administration.

The details

Colbert was discussing the recent 'No Kings' protests against the Trump administration when he referenced the former president's famous campaign slogan. After leading the audience in chanting 'Yes, We Can!', Colbert acknowledged his mistake, joking 'I think that's what Obama meant, right?' before pivoting back to his planned commentary on the Iran conflict.

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert episode aired on March 31, 2026.
  • The 'No Kings' protests Colbert referenced took place on the previous Saturday.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The host of CBS' The Late Show, known for his left-leaning political commentary and satire.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, whose 2008 presidential campaign slogan was 'Yes, We Can'.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose administration's policies and actions Colbert was criticizing during the segment.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, you can”

— Stephen Colbert, Host

“Yes, we can!”

— Stephen Colbert and audience

“I think that's what Obama meant, right?”

— Stephen Colbert, Host

What’s next

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final episode on May 21, 2026, after CBS decided not to renew the show for another season.

The takeaway

Colbert's brief mix-up of political slogans highlights the challenges comedians face in navigating the partisan divide, as even innocuous references can be interpreted through a political lens. This incident also underscores the broader tensions and polarization in the country as the Trump era comes to a close.