Stephen Colbert Leads Barack Obama-Style 'Yes We Can' Chant While Celebrating 'No Kings' Protests in Scathing 'Late Show' Monologue

Stephen Colbert returned from a break with a bang, using his Late Show monologue to spotlight global “No Kings” protests, before accidentally turning the moment into a full-blown chant of Barack Obama’s iconic campaign slogan.

Colbert leaned into both the scale and spectacle of the demonstrations, which unfolded across major U.S. cities and internationally, while also taking aim at President Donald Trump in typically sharp fashion.

“That is [chef’s kiss],” Colbert said, reacting to a protester’s viral balloon depicting Trump defecating on the U.S. Constitution. “Spectacular craftsmanship above all else.”

Colbert’s monologue veered off script when he riffed on the elaborate protest prop, imagining how future generations might remember acts of resistance.

“One day their grandchild will ask them how they resisted the rise of American fascism and they can proudly say, ‘Well, Tyler, your grandma and I worked around the clock with a team of fellow patriots to answer the eternal question of democracy, can we make an angry balloon that looks like it’s pooping fire? Yes, you can,’” he said.

The line, delivered as a punchline, struck a nerve with the studio audience, which immediately erupted into chants of “Yes, we can.” Colbert leaned into the moment, briefly leading the crowd before pulling things back.

“I think that’s what Obama meant, right?” he joked, regaining control of the monologue.

Beyond the viral moment, Colbert framed the protests as a major cultural and political flashpoint. He highlighted demonstrations in cities including New York, Chicago, San Diego, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Boston, while also noting international turnout.

“A ‘No Kings’ march in London must have been awkward,” Colbert quipped, imagining protesters clarifying their message to King Charles III: “What we want: no kings! Metaphorically. In reality, our guy’s OK.”

He also reveled in the creativity of protest signs, calling out slogans like “Does this a-- make my country look small?” and “The T--- Reich,” while giving a nod to one reading “Jimmy Kimmel Live! has higher ratings than you.”

“One reason so many people showed up to No Kings this weekend is that we are still at war with Iran, I think,” Colbert said. “Because Trump is sending mixed messages by pursuing both a rapid exit while at the same time mulling a dramatic escalation that would raise the stakes enormously.”

He compared the administration’s approach to a chaotic relationship.

“Trying to follow the strategy of this president in this war is like getting relationship updates from your most chaotic friend,” he said. “‘Travis and I are either breaking up or getting engaged this weekend.’”