Craig Ferguson Glad He Left Late Night Before Trump Presidency
Craig Ferguson, former host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” said on “Obsessed: The Podcast” that he is glad he exited late-night television before Donald Trump became president. Ferguson left the show in December 2014, making way for James Corden, and Trump was elected in 2016. He told the podcast he is unsure how he would have handled covering the Trump administration on his show. Ferguson noted that he originally planned to leave earlier but stayed longer after CBS offered more money. He said he would not have turned his show into a political platform like some current late-night hosts, referencing Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. Ferguson recalled saying on his show that it was not a traditional late-night talk show and that he did not consider himself a typical late-night host. He added that his experience does not give him insight into what is happening now or what happened before.
What’s reported
Craig Ferguson made the comments on “Obsessed: The Podcast.”
He said he was glad he left before Trump became president.
Ferguson left “The Late Late Show” in December 2014; Trump was elected in 2016.
He originally planned to exit earlier but stayed longer after CBS offered more money.
Ferguson said he would not have turned his show into a political soapbox like Colbert or Kimmel.
He used to say on his show, “This is not a late-night talk show. I’m not a late-night talk show host.”
Ferguson stated he does not feel his trajectory gives him insight into current or past events.
Key figures
Craig Ferguson, former host of “The Late Late Show”
Stephen Colbert, late-night host (mentioned as current host)
Jimmy Kimmel, late-night host (mentioned as current host)
James Corden, Ferguson’s successor on “The Late Late Show”
Donald Trump, former and current U.S. president (as of 2026)
“Obsessed: The Podcast” (source of Ferguson’s comments)
Sources: Variety
