The controversy surrounding Donald Trump and former Miss Universe Alicia Machado is Hillary Clinton's "new Benghazi lie," Newt Gingrich said Thursday.

During an appearance on Sean Hannity's radio show, Gingrich spoke about the story that's received countless headlines this week after Clinton brought it up during Monday night's presidential debate.

BuzzFeed News posted audio of Gingrich's appearance.

"I think as fascinating to look at how the elite media initially bought — this is the new Benghazi lie — what Hillary tried to set up, and what they spend apparently months preparing was an ambush that was as false as Benghazi," the former House Speaker told Hannity.

"It was as false as her claim she was under fire in Bosnia. It was as false as the lies she told about her emails.

"The elite media, which is Clinton, they totally identify with her, they took it hook, line, and sinker. For three or four days they have run with it, and now, as happened in Ferguson, as happened in Benghazi, as happened in Bosnia, it's all starting to fall apart because it's based on a series of falsehoods."

Machado won the 1996 Miss Universe title but apparently gained weight during her year with the crown, which Trump made a point of telling her at the time. Clinton exploited that, saying Trump called her "Miss Piggy" and "Miss Housekeeping."

Trump has spent the week dismantling the report, saying Machado has a shady past. Regarding his comments that she had gained weight, Trump said this week he "saved her job."