Stephen Colbert's Hunger Games alter ego tries to gavel in 'Republican Hungry for Power Games'

Stephen Colbert tries to gavel in the Republican National Convention

(Image credit: Twitter/@colbertlateshow)

last updated 19 July 2016

For some reason, Republican National Convention organizers let Stephen Colbert into Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena — "named for a money lender, so you know it's ruthless," Colbert said on Monday's Late Show — in costume as Hunger Games emcee Caesar Flickerman, and Colbert made the most of his access. He heckled NBC's Chuck Todd, interrupted a telecast from a Telemundo anchor, and ridiculed Chris Christie, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus, and convention chairman Paul Ryan, the House speaker. Then he made his big move. "There was only one thing left to do, and only one place I was not supposed to do it," Colbert's Flickerman said in a voiceover as he walked up on stage.

"This week, in this arena, the Republicans shall prove they're truly passionate about one candidate: Hillary Clinton," he said into the microphone at the dais, to a mostly empty arena. "They will do anything to stop her, up to and including nominating Donald J. Jonah Jameson Trump. But Tribute Trump will not enter the arena alone. He has formed an alliance with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence." He immediately pretended to fall asleep, and that dig at Pence may have been the final straw, because as he reached for the gavel to launch the "Republican Hungry for Power Games," a security guard came up and ushered him off the stage. Colbert got in one last dig: "I know I'm not supposed to be up here, but let's be honest: Neither is Donald Trump." Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.