However, Colbert did something different. He had already laid the groundwork for it in the other interviews I’ve mentioned, but we still didn’t expect it. He engaged Trump with civility. He still got his quips in, and they were biting, but they somehow didn’t come across as mean. (When Trump for some reason brought up the Great Wall of China as a rationale/justification for the border wall he’s advocating, Colbert joked, “You know Jesus helped build that.” Trump was so thrown off that all he could come up with is “You’re right. You’re right.”…before he continued to make his case.) Colbert was polite and hospitable…to the point of being disarming. Trump wasn’t able to play his normal cards or employ his normal bravado. While certainly not humbled, Trump seemed thrown off-balance to the point of being uncharacteristically cautious and reserved. He states most of his usual talking points, but without all the bluster. At times, it even seems to register at the edges of his own consciousness how silly some of it sounds when it isn’t being yelled. He can’t say he was ambushed. He can’t say his words were twisted. He was disarmed by Colbert’s civility, and his words and thoughts had to stand on their own. At one point, when Trump was making what he thought was a serious point, Colbert just couldn’t contain himself anymore and started chuckling. The camera panned back and you could see it in the affable, good-natured smile on Colbert’s face. It’s not a mocking laugh. It doesn’t appear to be staged. He’s sincerely amused. That may be the most devastating thing that could have happened to Donald Trump. It was almost like having burning coals heaped upon his head.