Stephen Colbert Guests May 13, 2026
Guests
The May 13, 2026 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert featured Barack Obama and Tom Hanks.
Episode clips
Barack Obama
Barack Obama reflects on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, explains why he avoids cable news and social-media doomscrolling, and competes with Stephen Colbert at Wordle. In the Colbert Questionert, he shares personal favorites and says a good life endures in the memories of loved ones.
Barack Obama defends the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as diplomacy that removed most of Iran’s enriched uranium without firing a missile. He says military force should be a last resort because innocent people die, argues the agreement met its stated nuclear objective and warns that war often creates more problems than it solves.
Barack Obama says he avoids cable news and social-media doomscrolling, preferring newspapers and longer-form information that leaves room for reflection. He argues that outrage-driven media feeds impulsive reactions at the expense of democratic deliberation, then jokes about family-shared animal videos and using AI to settle sports arguments despite its mistakes.
Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert race through the day’s Wordle, with Obama solving it in two guesses and Colbert needing three. Their playful argument shifts from luck to Obama teasing that his ability simply happens to be superior.
Barack Obama answers Stephen Colbert’s Questionert, choosing a cheeseburger as the best sandwich, mosquitoes as the scariest animal and Casino Royale as his favorite action movie. He recalls seeing Elton John in 1973, says a good life survives in loved ones’ memories and names Michelle as his favorite smell.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks promotes the History Channel docuseries World War II with Tom Hanks, reflecting on wartime sacrifice, mercy and why the conflict still fascinates him. He also ranks favorite filmmaking memories—including scuba training for Splash and watching Sleepless in Seattle on a bus beside Rob Reiner—and gives Stephen Colbert an Underwood typewriter for his birthday.
Other episode clips
FAQ
- Who were the guests on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on May 13, 2026?
- Barack Obama and Tom Hanks were the guests on this episode.
- When did this episode air?
- May 13, 2026.