Stephen Colbert References Obama’s Slogan in Trump Mockery

During a recent episode of CBS’s The Late Show, Stephen Colbert seemingly mixed up moments by evoking former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Yes, We Can,” while taking jabs at President Donald Trump. He noted, “After months of terror at the hands of President Trump’s immigrant criminals, more than 200,000 people rose up against his administration in Minneapolis and St. Paul,” referring to the chaotic “No Kings” protests that took place across several cities.

Colbert then showcased various images of protest signs and quirky inflatable costumes, highlighting one particularly odd exhibit: a giant balloon of President Trump breathing flames towards the U.S. Constitution. “One day their grandchildren will ask how they resisted the rise of American fascism,” he said, humorously imagining conversations future generations might have. “And they can proudly say, ‘Tyler, your grandma and I worked around the clock with a team of fellow patriots to answer the eternal question of democracy: Can you make a balloon of anger that looks like it’s breathing fire?'”

Following this segment, he exclaimed, “Yes, you can!” which prompted cheers and applause from the audience. However, in a moment of confusion, he appeared to forget which president’s slogan he was referencing, adding, “That’s one of the reasons so many people are shouting, ‘Yes, we can!'” The crowd, along with the band, enthusiastically chanted the popular phrase made famous by Obama.

With a light-hearted tone, Colbert chuckled and asked for quiet, joking, “I think that’s what Obama meant, right?” He then returned to his original speech, suggesting, “I think one of the reasons we had so many people at No Kings this weekend is because we’re still at war with Iran.”

This all unfolded amid CBS’s earlier announcement that Colbert’s show would not be renewed for another season, a decision attributed to financial reasons.