Former U.S. President Barack Obama warned that America is “being tested right now” as comedian Marc Maron ended his long-running podcast *WTF With Marc Maron*. Obama appeared as the final guest on Monday, closing out the show after 16 years and more than 1,600 episodes.
During the conversation, Obama criticized how some law firms, universities, and businesses have given in to pressure from Donald Trump’s administration instead of standing up for their values. He urged people and institutions to have the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
He said the country doesn’t need everyone to make extreme sacrifices like Nelson Mandela did, but people still need to take meaningful stands. For example, law firms should choose their clients based on principles, not politics. Universities should protect their independence, even if it means losing federal funding. And companies, Obama said, should keep hiring diverse teams and not give in to political bullying or discrimination.
Obama warned that Americans are being tested by how they respond to the country’s challenges and that their choices have real consequences. He explained that even small decisions—like choosing not to vote—can have a big impact. Using an example, he said if a Hispanic man decides not to care about Trump’s rhetoric because he’s upset about inflation, he might later see his own sons unfairly targeted by police because of their ethnicity.
Obama also joked with Maron about the Democratic Party, agreeing with the comedian’s old joke that progressives have become so self-righteous and preachy that they’ve “annoyed Americans into fascism.” Obama said he understood the humor but added that Democrats sometimes forget humility and come across as judgmental, which turns people off.
The conversation ended on a hopeful note. Obama praised Maron for the honesty and kindness in his interviews, saying that the show’s success over the years was proof that decency and meaningful conversation still matter in America.
Maron had announced earlier that he and his longtime producer, Brendan McDonald, decided to end the show because they were exhausted but proud of what they’d accomplished.
Obama later shared a post online reflecting on their first interview years ago and their final one now, saying they discussed conviction, decency, and the real story of America — and that he would miss Maron’s podcast.
