'The Late Show' Mocks Melania Trump's Plagiarized Speech With the Help of Laura Benanti

Culture

Stephen Colbert wasted no time in addressing the biggest controversy so far from the 2016 Republican National Convention: Did Melania Trump plagiarize her speech from First Lady Michelle Obama? The evidence may be compelling, but the Late Show host wanted to hear both sides of the story. Therefore, he brought Melania onto the show Tuesday night to explain what happened. 

Of course, this isn't the real Melania, but rather Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti, who shares a striking resemblance with the potential first lady. She says she had the same staffers prepare a speech for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. However, her response to the speech controversy continues right where the real Melania left off — beginning with a nod to A Tale of Two Cities

The references pile on from there, ranging from famous children's book writers (Dr. Seuss) to popular TV shows (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and even food slogans (McDonald's and Kit Kat). 

"I did not plagiarize my speech last night, I would never do such a thing," faux Melania continues. "I would not, could not with a goat. I would not, could not on a boat. That is because I learned honesty during my humble upbringing in West Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days." 

Benanti piles on the cheeky references, only being stopped by Colbert — and, we presume, CBS — when Melania attempts a knock-off of NBC's Saturday Night Live introduction. 

Watch the full segment from The Late Show below.

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