However, the highlight of the night unfolded when Letterman dropped a bombshell about Meghan Markle, the former actress and Duchess of Sussex, embroiled in controversy and legal battles over alleged lies and hypocrisy. Letterman disclosed that he had interviewed Markle for his Netflix show, but the episode never saw the light of day due to legal complications and public backlash.
He characterized Markle as charming, intelligent, and articulate but also revealed a darker side, describing her as dishonest, manipulative, and narcissistic. Letterman claimed to have confronted Markle about inconsistencies and contradictions in her claims, covering areas such as her relationship with her father, her wedding, mental health, and royal duties.
The former late-night host went on to showcase clips from the unaired interview, secretly recorded as evidence. These clips depicted Markle contradicting herself, making false accusations, and portraying herself as a victim. For instance, in one clip, Markle asserted that she never sought fame or publicity and only aimed to use her platform for good causes. Letterman countered this by revealing clips from her previous interviews where she expressed a desire for fame, hired a PR team, and staged paparazzi photos for attention.
Letterman also exposed Markle's purported hypocrisy on various issues, including environmental activism, feminism, and racial identity. He presented clips of Markle engaging in practices contrary to her preached values, such as flying on private jets, wearing expensive attire, and living in a lavish mansion while advocating for climate change and social justice. The audience reacted with a mix of shock, laughter, and applause as Letterman skewered Markle with his sharp wit and sarcasm.
Colbert joined in the comedic banter, making jokes and comments about Markle's alleged lies and hypocrisy. He thanked Letterman for his courage and honesty, expressing the hope that the controversial episode would be released on Netflix soon. Colbert also humorously hoped that Markle would not take legal action against them, or worse, send them a letter.
The episode of The Late Show with David Letterman and Stephen Colbert quickly went viral on social media, with many praising Letterman for exposing Markle's perceived dishonesty and manipulation, hailing him as a hero and a legend. Concurrently, Markle faced criticism for her actions, being labeled a fraud and a villain by some, while others expressed sympathy for Prince Harry, urging him to reconsider his situation and return to his family.
