Barack Obama paid tribute to Stephen Colbert, while slipping in a subtle swipe at the current president.

Back so soon? Stephen Colbert was back on late-night television on Friday, just one day after taping the final episode of CBS’ “The Late Show.”

After wrapping the final episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” which was canceled after 11 years, Colbert made a surprise appearance taking over a community access program in Michigan calle...