Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump granted comedian Stephen Colbert more than a phone interview Tuesday evening.
The GOP’s leading man, who has topped the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings for three consecutive weeks, appeared on Colbert’s “Late Show” Tuesday after weeks of being the butt of the host’s jokes.
“Finally, a place on TV where you can hear about Donald Trump,” Colbert stated sarcastically minutes before the real estate mogul joined him on set.
The celebrity duo briefly discussed immigration, President Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, and Trump’s unexpected and rapid ascension to the leader of the 14-person Republican field.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Colbert said. “Because the GOP has been a huge proponent of the idea that money is speech and you’re a $10 billion man.”
“If you actually got the gig [as president], wouldn’t that be a step down for you?” Colbert asked the long-time reality TV host and celebrity tycoon.
“No, it would be my great honor,” Trump said, adopting a more serious tone.
Mid-way into the segment, Colbert asked Trump to sign a copy of his best-seller, “The Art of the Deal,” for his second guest, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Moniz, a nuclear physicist, has been dubbed “Obama’s MVP” for his role in crafting the nuclear deal with Iran.
“I was going to sign ‘better luck next time,’ but I didn’t want to be a wise guy,” Trump said.
Asked toward the end of the segment if he would once-and-for-all confirm that Obama was born in the U.S., Trump dodged the question.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” he told Colbert. “I talk about jobs. I talk about the vets who are being treated like third-class citizens.
He added, “Those are the things I’m talking about. I’m not talking about this.”
Aside from his habitual tirades on Twitter, Trump has adopted a more serious posture since the most recent Republican primary debate.
The New York businessman released his second policy paper last Friday, detailing his opposition to gun control while referring to the Second Amendment as “America’s first freedom.” And on Tuesday, he announced the addition of several new state campaign chairs who will focus on growing support for the billionaire throughout the South.
Trump plans to swing through South Carolina later this week, followed by a trip to Oklahoma. He is expected to deliver a comprehensive tax plan at some point in the coming weeks.
